Brazil’s Bolsonaro hospitalized under police guard after sudden health scare

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro was taken to the hospital on Tuesday under police guard after falling ill during his house arrest, according to his son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.

The 70-year-old politician reportedly suffered “a severe bout of hiccups, vomiting, and low blood pressure,” Flavio wrote on X, calling the situation “an emergency” and adding, “I ask everyone to pray that it’s nothing serious.”

The hospitalization comes just a week after Bolsonaro was convicted and handed a 27-year prison sentence for attempting to orchestrate a coup to oust his leftist rival, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, following his defeat in the 2022 election. His legal team has vowed to appeal the ruling.

Read more: Ex-Brazilian President Bolsonaro charged with coup attempt

Bolsonaro had already undergone medical procedures on Sunday, when doctors removed eight skin lesions for biopsy. His physician, Claudio Birolini, noted that the former president appeared “quite weak” and was suffering from mild anemia, “probably due to poor nutrition over the last month.”

Bolsonaro’s health has been a recurring concern in recent years. He has endured multiple surgeries and treatments linked to complications from a stabbing attack during his 2018 presidential campaign.