Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, recently sentenced to 27 years in prison for “crimes against democracy,” has been diagnosed with skin cancer, according to a statement from his medical team on Wednesday.
Dr. Cláudio Birolini, leading Bolsonaro’s medical team, shared a brief report. Share A local facility identified squamous cell carcinoma in two out of eight skin lesions removed from Bolsonaro on Sunday.
The 70-year-old former president, who has been facing serious health challenges, was discharged from DF Star Hospital in Brasilia on Wednesday after being urgently admitted the previous day.
His medical team noted:
“On September 16, 2025, former President Jair Messias Bolsonaro was admitted to DF Star Hospital after experiencing symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, and hypotension. After treatment, his kidney function stabilized. The pathological examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma in situ in two of the eight lesions removed, necessitating ongoing clinical follow-up.”
Bolsonaro had surgery at DF Star Hospital on Sunday morning to excise eight skin lesions from his torso and right arm. Since August, he has been under strict house arrest in Brasilia with constant police surveillance, following an order from Judge Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court (STF). During this period, he avoided public speaking, social media, and phone use.
Describing Bolsonaro’s health as “fragile,” Dr. Birolini remarked to reporters that, while the surgery went well, tests showed he also suffers from anemia and pneumonia.
Bolsonaro was discharged on Sunday afternoon. That same day, Judge de Moraes questioned police escorts regarding a reported five-minute delay in returning him home to resume his house arrest. Following this, the conditions for his police escort were revised to fall solely under the Brazilian federal police’s jurisdiction.
He had been urgently hospitalized Tuesday afternoon, complaining of severe pain, low blood pressure, hiccups, and vomiting. On the same day, Brazil’s federal court handed Bolsonaro a fine related to allegations of “recreational racism,” stemming from remarks made to a supporter, about $188,750. This supporter is known to be a staunch ally of Bolsonaro.
Following his hospital release on Wednesday, Bolsonaro’s legal team reported to Judge de Moraes about the reasons for his latest medical visit. As he left the hospital, a group of pro-Bolsonaro supporters rallied, chanting slogans and showing their support with flags from Brazil, the US, and Israel.
“Out of the eight [skin] lesions, two were confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma—a type of skin cancer that isn’t the mildest but also isn’t the most aggressive. It’s sort of in the middle,” Dr. Birolini noted to a local outlet.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro posted a medical report on social media, stating:
“My father has faced tougher challenges and triumphed. This is no different. Jair Bolsonaro boldly challenged the system for Brazil, which we view as the result of unfortunate persecution. With God and supporters by your side, there’s nothing to fear.”
Just last week, Justice de Moraes and three other STF justices convicted Bolsonaro, sentencing him to 27 years and three months in prison over an alleged conspiracy to undermine the 2022 presidential election results.
At a press conference, the STF has not settled on which facility Bolsonaro will serve his sentence. A recent poll indicated that 49% of respondents feel Bolsonaro’s sentence is “excessive,” while 35% think it’s “appropriate.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week suggested a response to what he termed the “witch hunt” against Bolsonaro. In July, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating the Brazilian government a threat to US “national security,” citing extensive persecution and censorship, leading to a 50% tariff on Brazil.
Reports indicate that if new sanctions arise, de Moraes might order Bolsonaro’s transfer to the Papuda prison complex, known for its overcrowding and a history of housing politically influential individuals.
Concerns have been raised among Bolsonaro’s allies regarding the implications of his imprisonment at Papuda and its potential impact on his health, fearing he might not endure the conditions.
