Bolsonaro hospitalized on Friday morning, which has reignited concerns over the former president’s long-standing health complications. Jair Bolsonaro, who led Brazil from 2019 to 2022, was rushed to a hospital in Santa Cruz, in the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte, due to intense abdominal pain. His political party, the Liberal Party (PL), confirmed the hospitalization was linked to the aftereffects of a stabbing incident in 2018 during his presidential campaign.
This latest episode saw Bolsonaro admitted shortly after beginning a regional tour aimed at bolstering support for his right-wing party ahead of the 2026 general election, even though he is barred from running.
Bolsonaro Hospitalized for Complications From 2018 Knife Attack
The former president has never fully recovered from the knife attack he suffered in September 2018 during a campaign rally. Since then, Bolsonaro has endured a string of hospitalizations and undergone multiple surgeries, primarily related to intestinal blockages and complications from the stabbing.
His party’s press office released a statement noting that Bolsonaro hospitalized this week was once again linked to these long-term abdominal injuries. “He continues to deal with the aftermath of the cowardly attack that nearly took his life,” said a PL spokesperson.
Medical Team Confirms Bolsonaro Hospitalized But Stable
Doctors at the Rio Grande Hospital in Natal confirmed that Bolsonaro hospitalized on Friday, was in a stable condition. “There are no signs indicating the need for surgery at this time,” the medical team stated in an afternoon briefing.
Bolsonaro is undergoing a battery of imaging tests to assess the current state of his abdominal health. His son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, confirmed that he would remain under observation until further notice.
This is not the first time Bolsonaro’s abdominal issues have disrupted his schedule, but his team emphasized that he is determined to complete his tour of the northeast once discharged.
Political Tour Disrupted as Bolsonaro Hospitalized During Key Campaign
The hospitalization couldn’t have come at a more critical moment. Bolsonaro had just launched a campaign-style tour across Brazil’s northeast to drum up support for his party’s conservative agenda. Despite being banned from seeking office until 2030, Bolsonaro remains the symbolic leader of Brazil’s right-wing movement.
The northeast, a historically left-leaning region and a stronghold for current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was central to Bolsonaro’s strategy to expand the PL’s influence.
Now, with Bolsonaro hospitalized, the party is scrambling to recalibrate its plans. PL insiders suggest that his schedule might be modified depending on the outcome of his medical assessments in Natal.
Legal Troubles Mount While Bolsonaro Hospitalized
Aside from his health issues, Bolsonaro hospitalized is also facing increasing legal troubles. In March 2025, Brazil’s Supreme Court accepted charges against him over an alleged attempt to cling to power after losing the 2022 election. He is accused of orchestrating a campaign to undermine the credibility of Brazil’s electoral system.
He has been barred by the Superior Electoral Court from running for any public office until 2030 after spreading false information that electronic voting machines were tampered with. Despite these setbacks, Bolsonaro continues to maintain a strong following among conservative voters, many of whom still view him as a victim of political persecution.
Bolsonaro Hospitalized: What This Means for Brazil’s Political Future
With Bolsonaro hospitalized yet again, questions are mounting about his political future and his party’s direction without him on the ballot. Although he cannot run, Bolsonaro remains a kingmaker within the conservative PL, and his endorsement will likely shape the 2026 elections.
Analysts argue that repeated health scares and ongoing legal woes could undermine his influence, but others note that Bolsonaro has repeatedly defied political odds. “Each time he is hospitalized, his base rallies harder around him,” said political commentator Ana Costa.
For now, all eyes are on Natal’s Rio Grande Hospital, where Bolsonaro is being monitored closely. His team has not yet released a timeline for discharge or whether he will resume his political tour.
