Worsening Health Hurdles Investigations for Brazil's Bolsonaro

As Jair Bolsonaro remains in intensive care post-surgery, he is simultaneously confronted by coup charges stirred by his political actions.

The health of Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's former president, has significantly declined following an intestinal surgery earlier this month, as reported by his medical team. The 70-year-old is currently in intensive care and is set to undergo further tests. On Wednesday, a court official visited him in the hospital to present a summons, granting him five days to prepare his initial defense against coup charges that aim to bring him to trial. These charges stem from Bolsonaro's alleged orchestration of a coup attempt following his defeat in the 2022 presidential elections to leftist leader Lula da Silva.

In a video documenting the delivery of the summons, Bolsonaro's reaction was one of anger as he exclaimed, "I have five days to present my defense?" The attempted coup involved his supporters storming government buildings, and investigations have revealed discussions he allegedly had regarding maintaining power through a coup, which included dialogue with military figures. Bolsonaro's recent surgery was necessitated by health complications resulting from a stabbing incident during his 2018 campaign in Minas Gerais, which led to substantial blood loss and emergency intervention.

He has consistently denied the allegations regarding the coup, labeling them as a political witch-hunt aimed at undermining him. Just a day prior to the court’s visit, Bolsonaro recorded a live YouTube session from his hospital bed alongside his sons, a move that the Brazilian Supreme Court interpreted as evidence of his ability to comply with legal summons, despite medical advice against hosting visitors. Although he has aspirations of running for president again in 2026, a current barring on his candidacy looms, and a conviction could impose a hefty prison sentence of up to 40 years.