Doctors for Brazil’s Bolsonaro say early-stage cancer detected in his skin lesions

RIO DE JANEIRO — Medical professionals treating former President Jair Bolsonaro announced on Wednesday that they have discovered early-stage skin cancer in lesions that were removed from the 70-year-old politician after his recent conviction on charges of attempted coup.

Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest in Brasilia pending finalization of his sentence, has been hospitalized twice since the court’s ruling last week. He underwent a procedure at DF Star hospital on Sunday to remove eight lesions for further testing, and returned on Tuesday due to symptoms of vomiting and low blood pressure before being discharged on Wednesday.

The medical report released on Wednesday confirmed the presence of early-stage skin cancer in two of the removed lesions. The doctors stated that Bolsonaro will require continuous clinical monitoring and regular assessments.

In response to the diagnosis, Bolsonaro’s son Flávio expressed confidence in his father’s ability to overcome this challenge. He attributed the health issue to what he described as relentless persecution since Bolsonaro’s contentious political stand against the establishment and his advocacy for Brazil.

Following a ruling by a panel of Supreme Court justices last Thursday, the former leader was found guilty of attempting a coup to retain power unlawfully despite losing the 2022 election to current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison.

While the verdict does not result in immediate incarceration, there is a 60-day window for the court panel to publish the ruling, after which Bolsonaro’s legal team can file motions for clarification within five days.

Bolsonaro has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has characterized the legal proceedings against him as politically motivated. His stance has garnered support from U.S. President Donald Trump, who denounced the trial as a “witch hunt” and imposed tariffs on Brazilian imports in response.

Since early August, Bolsonaro has been confined to house arrest by order of Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who accused him of violating court-ordered precautions during the trial. Bolsonaro, who was already wearing an ankle monitor, faced heightened security measures including police surveillance of his residence.

Bolsonaro’s health has been a concern since surviving a stabbing incident during his 2018 campaign, followed by surgery for a bowel obstruction in April. His lawyers are expected to cite his medical condition as grounds for a plea to serve his sentence under house arrest rather than in a detention facility.