Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Marcelo Chello
Brazil

Brazil's Bolsonaro in hospital following persistent hiccups, may need surgery to remove obstruction

The Brazilian leader had suffered hiccups since 3 July.

BRAZIL’S PRESIDENT JAIR Bolsonaro is suffering from an “intestinal obstruction” that may need “emergency surgery,” a spokesperson confirmed.

The far-right leader was admitted to hospital due to persistent hiccups today.

The 66-year-old had been complaining publicly since last week about suffering from the hiccups following July 3 surgery on a dental implant.

Bolsonaro was first taken to a military hospital in the capital Brasilia but will now be transferred to Sao Paulo for more tests, the communication ministry said in a statement.

It did not reveal when or which hospital he would be taken to.

“He is in good spirits and feels well,” the presidency had said earlier in the day.

Bolsonaro was examined in Brasilia by Antonio Macedo, who has operated on the president several times since he was stabbed in the abdomen in 2018 while on the campaign trail.

If it is confirmed he needs an operation, it would be the seventh since he was stabbed by a former member of the Socialist and Freedom Party (PSOL), a group that broke away from the Workers’ Party (PT) of former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is eyeing a run against Bolsonaro next year.

“Yet another challenge, a consequence of the assassination attempt carried out by a former member of PSOL, the left-wing arm of the PT, to prevent the victory of millions of Brazilians that wanted change in Brazil,” Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter.

“A cruel attack not just against me but against democracy.”

Speaking to a local radio station last week, Bolsonaro had said: “This happened to me before, maybe due to the medicine I’m taking, I have hiccups 24 hours a day.”

On Tuesday night, a tired-looking Bolsonaro had complained to supporters outside his official residence in Brasilia about the problem.

“People, my voice has gone. If I start talking a lot, the hiccups return … they already have,” he said.

Bolosonaro also contracted Covid-19 last year although his symptoms were mild and he did not need hospital treatment.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
20
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel