Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s medical condition has taken a concerning turn while he remains hospitalized in intensive care, according to doctors treating the imprisoned leader.
Medical staff at DF Star hospital in Brasilia reported Saturday that while the 70-year-old politician’s overall condition remains steady, recent laboratory work reveals declining kidney function alongside elevated inflammation levels. Hospital officials have not provided a timeline for when Bolsonaro might be released from medical care.
The former leader was admitted to the hospital Friday following a bronchoaspiration incident that developed into bronchopneumonia, a serious lung infection that begins in the airways before spreading deeper into lung tissue and can severely impact breathing.
Medical teams are providing comprehensive care including antibiotic medications, intravenous fluid therapy, breathing treatments, physical therapy for movement, and preventative measures to avoid blood clots, the hospital reported.
Bolsonaro is currently incarcerated while serving a 27-year prison term for his role in orchestrating a coup attempt following his defeat in the 2022 presidential race against current leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Legal representatives and family members of the former president have repeatedly petitioned the courts to allow him to serve his sentence under house arrest rather than in prison since his incarceration began last year. However, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the judge overseeing the case, has consistently rejected these requests, with higher court panels supporting his rulings.
