Tests will determine whether Bolsonaro will undergo surgery

Jair Bolsonaro during a visit to a hospital in Barretos, São Paulo (2019). Photo: Marcos Corrêa/PR

Admitted into a Brasília hospital in the early hours of Wednesday, President Jair Bolsonaro is undergoing a series of tests. He was hospitalized after feeling abdominal pain and could undergo surgery within the coming days, his personal doctor said.

As we explained in this morning’s issue of the Brazil Daily newsletter, the president’s office said he is investigating the cause of persistent hiccups which have affected his speech.

Mr. Bolsonaro said earlier this year he will have to undergo a new surgery on an abdominal hernia which appeared after he was stabbed on the campaign trail in September 2018.

The president has already undergone six surgical procedures since the stabbing.

Janaína Camelo

Janaína Camelo has been a political reporter for ten years, working for multiple media outlets. More recently, she worked for the presidency's press service and is now specializing in data journalism.