Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was transferred from an intensive‑care unit to a semi‑intensive ward on Monday after his condition improved, his wife Michelle announced on Instagram. The 70‑year‑old ex‑leader, who is serving a 27‑year prison term for a 2023 coup attempt, had been hospitalized for pneumonia since Friday, the hospital said.
Michelle Bolsonaro posted that medical tests showed “reduced inflammation” in her husband, suggesting the infection was receding. Hospital DF Star confirmed that Bolsonaro’s kidney function had improved, though he remained under observation for pneumonia.
Bolsonaro was admitted to the Brasilia hospital’s intensive‑care unit on Friday after developing severe pneumonia, according to the hospital’s statements. He had been taken from the federal police headquarters where he is imprisoned, a facility he was moved to in January after a prior transfer from a smaller cell.
The former president, convicted of leading an armed criminal organization and attempting to violently overturn democratic rule, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. His family and allies have petitioned Brazil’s Supreme Court to allow him to serve his sentence under house arrest, arguing that his health warrants a less restrictive setting.
Political observers note that Bolsonaro’s son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, is expected to launch a presidential campaign later this year, positioning himself against incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The elder Bolsonaro’s health saga adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile electoral landscape.
Bolsonaro’s medical history includes multiple hospitalizations, most notably after he was stabbed at a campaign rally before the 2018 presidential election. His ongoing treatment underscores the intersection of health, incarceration, and political legacy as Brazil heads toward a contentious election cycle.