BRASILIA, BRAZIL — Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been admitted to an intensive care unit after being diagnosed with pneumonia, a hospital in the capital Brasilia confirmed on Friday.
The 70-year-old former leader was transferred under police escort from the Papuda Penitentiary Complex, where he is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting to overthrow Brazil’s democratic system following his 2022 election defeat.
According to a medical bulletin from the DF Star Hospital, Bolsonaro arrived at the facility after experiencing “high fever, low oxygen saturation, sweating, and chills”
. Diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests confirmed “bilateral bacterial bronchopneumonia, likely caused by aspiration”.
“He is currently hospitalized in the intensive care unit, receiving IV antibiotics and non-invasive clinical support,” the hospital statement added.
The former president’s eldest son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, first announced the emergency transfer on social media, writing: “I ask for prayers that it not be anything serious”.
Speaking to journalists after visiting his father, Flávio described this as the most severe respiratory episode his father has experienced, noting the significant fluid accumulation in his lungs.
Jair Bolsonaro has faced recurring health complications since being stabbed at a campaign event before the 2018 presidential election, requiring multiple surgeries over the years.
In January, he was escorted to the same hospital for brain tests after falling from his bed in prison.
The former president was convicted in September 2025 by a panel of Supreme Court justices on charges including leading an armed criminal organization and attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.
The plot reportedly included plans to assassinate current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin . Bolsonaro has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
His hospitalization comes as Brazil prepares for general elections in October, with Senator Flávio Bolsonaro running as the right-wing candidate. Recent polls show him and President Lula da Silva in a technical tie in a potential second-round runoff.
Disclaimer: This material and other digital content on this website maybe reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without the prior express written permission of CDA News Nigeria. All rights reserved. © 2026 CDA News Nigeria. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Privacy Policy: CDA News Nigeria is committed to protecting your privacy. We collect and use personal information solely for delivering news updates and improving your experience. Your data is never shared with third parties without explicit consent. For full details, visit our website.
Contact: For news tips, inquiries, or feedback, contact CDA News Nigeria at info@cdanews.ng or visit our headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
