Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has undergone a medical procedure to address persistent hiccups that he has reportedly been experiencing for several months, according to statements from his medical team. The treatment was carried out while he remains under custody, following a temporary release from prison for medical reasons.
Bolsonaro, 70, is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted of attempting to overturn the results of Brazil’s 2022 presidential election. Earlier this week, authorities approved his transfer from prison to a hospital in Brasília so he could receive treatment for a groin hernia.
The hernia surgery was performed on Thursday at DF Star Hospital in the Brazilian capital and was described by doctors as successful, with no complications reported. Following the operation, Bolsonaro remained hospitalized for monitoring and further medical evaluation.
During his recovery, doctors determined that an additional procedure was necessary to address his ongoing bouts of hiccups, which had reportedly caused discomfort for an extended period. Medical specialists decided to perform a phrenic nerve block, a procedure aimed at reducing involuntary diaphragm contractions that can lead to chronic hiccups.
According to Dr Claudio Birolini, one of Bolsonaro’s physicians, the treatment involved locating the phrenic nerve using ultrasound guidance before administering a local anesthetic. He explained that the process does not require surgical incisions and is considered a minimally invasive medical intervention.
Another doctor involved in Bolsonaro’s care, Mateus Saldanha, said the procedure carried out on Saturday was completed without complications. The treatment focused on the right side of the phrenic nerve, with plans to address the left side in a follow-up session scheduled for Monday.
Bolsonaro’s wife, former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, confirmed the procedure in a social media post, describing the condition as a long-running health issue. She said her husband had been dealing with recurring hiccups for approximately nine months, calling it a difficult and stressful experience for the family.
Bolsonaro has faced a series of health challenges over the years, many linked to a serious abdominal injury he sustained during a stabbing attack at a campaign rally in 2018. Since then, he has undergone multiple surgeries and periods of hospitalization related to complications from that injury.
The former president served as Brazil’s leader from 2019 to 2022. In September, Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted him of conspiring to remain in power after losing the 2022 election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The court concluded that the effort failed due to a lack of support from senior military leaders.
Bolsonaro has consistently denied wrongdoing, saying the case against him is politically motivated. Prior to his imprisonment on November 22, he had been under house arrest since August while legal proceedings continued.
Once discharged from hospital, Bolsonaro is expected to return to a federal police detention facility in Brasília to continue serving his sentence. Authorities have said his medical treatment does not alter the terms of his incarceration.
In a related development, Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered house arrest for ten former officials from Bolsonaro’s administration who were also convicted in connection with the alleged coup plot. The officials had previously been free while their appeals were pending.
The court said the group had played roles in planning the attempt to challenge the election outcome, seeking legal justification for it, or spreading false information online. One of the officials, former federal highway police chief Silvinei Vasques, was detained in Paraguay after allegedly attempting to travel using false documents, according to authorities.
The latest developments highlight the continued legal and political fallout surrounding Brazil’s post-election crisis, even as Bolsonaro’s health remains a subject of public attention. Officials have stressed that legal proceedings and sentencing decisions remain separate from medical care, which is provided in accordance with Brazilian law.