Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, finds himself at the center of a storm—both political and medical. Just days after being convicted for his role in a failed attempt to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election results, Bolsonaro, age 70, was diagnosed with early-stage skin cancer, adding another layer of uncertainty to his already tumultuous situation.
According to a statement released by his doctors on September 17, 2025, two of eight skin lesions removed from Bolsonaro’s body during a hospital visit in Brasilia were found to be squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer. The diagnosis came after a series of hospitalizations that began on September 14, when Bolsonaro underwent a procedure at the DF Star Hospital to remove suspicious lesions from his chest and arms. Just two days later, on September 16, he was rushed back to the hospital under prison guard, suffering from vomiting, violent bouts of hiccups, dizziness, low blood pressure, and pre-syncope—a near-fainting spell. He was released on September 17 after his symptoms improved, but not before his medical team delivered the sobering news about his cancer diagnosis.
Dr. Claudio Birolini, the head of Bolsonaro’s surgical team, described the cancer as an “intermediate” form—neither the least nor the most aggressive type. In a statement reported by CNN Brasil and France 24, Birolini noted, “Two tested positive for a type of tumor called squamous cell carcinoma, which isn’t the most benign or the most aggressive. It’s intermediate, but it’s still a type of skin cancer that can have more serious consequences.” He clarified that the carcinoma was “in situ,” meaning the abnormal cells had not spread beyond the original site. For now, the lesions’ removal is considered a cure, but Bolsonaro will require regular monitoring and periodic reevaluation. The former president, currently bearing bandages and stitches, is expected to have them removed within two weeks.
Bolsonaro’s eldest son, Flávio, took to social media following the diagnosis, framing his father’s health woes as part of a broader narrative of political persecution. “My father has already fought tougher battles and won. This one won’t be any different,” Flávio posted on X. He added, “You can be sure that this is the result of the relentless persecution ever since Jair Bolsonaro dared to challenge the system head-on and fight for Brazil.”
The timing of the diagnosis could hardly be more dramatic. Just a week earlier, on September 11, 2025, a panel of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court found Bolsonaro guilty of leading a plot to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office after the 2022 election. The court sentenced Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison—the first time in Brazil’s history that a former president has been convicted of trying to overthrow democracy, as noted by BNO News and France 24. The verdict stems from a scheme that prosecutors say included plans to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes. The plan ultimately failed due to a lack of support from the military’s top leadership.
Bolsonaro’s conviction does not mean he will be immediately incarcerated. The court has up to 60 days to publish its final ruling, after which Bolsonaro’s lawyers have five days to file motions for clarification. In the meantime, Bolsonaro remains under house arrest in his residence in Brasilia, subject to strict security measures. Since late August, police have conducted inspections of all vehicles leaving his home and have monitored the exterior of the property. He continues to wear an ankle monitor, a precaution imposed after allegations surfaced that he and his son Eduardo had sought U.S. sanctions against Brazilian officials, citing supposed political persecution.
Bolsonaro’s medical troubles are not new. His health has been frail since he was stabbed in the abdomen during a 2018 campaign event—a wound that required multiple surgeries and hospitalizations. In April 2025, he underwent surgery for a bowel obstruction, and he has reported a range of health issues throughout the legal proceedings against him. According to France 24, he even missed the verdict phase of his trial due to his condition. During his recent hospitalization, medical bulletins from DF Star Hospital noted he arrived “dehydrated, with elevated heart rate and a drop in blood pressure,” and tests revealed “persistent anemia and impaired kidney function.”
The political fallout from Bolsonaro’s conviction and health crisis has reverberated far beyond Brazil. U.S. President Donald Trump, a vocal Bolsonaro ally, has denounced the trial as a “witch hunt.” Trump’s administration responded by imposing a 50% tariff on many Brazilian imports and levying sanctions against top Brazilian officials, explicitly citing the case against Bolsonaro as a motivating factor. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted that further action could be forthcoming, signaling escalating tensions between the two countries.
Bolsonaro, for his part, has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing and continues to insist that he is the victim of a political vendetta. His legal team is expected to appeal the conviction, and they are likely to argue that his deteriorating health should allow him to serve any sentence under house arrest rather than in a detention center. The legal process, however, remains in flux, and the final outcome is far from certain.
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro’s supporters remain fiercely loyal, viewing both the legal proceedings and the recent cancer diagnosis as evidence of a broader campaign against him. Critics, on the other hand, see his conviction as a necessary step in defending Brazil’s democracy and holding leaders accountable for undermining the rule of law.
The coming weeks will be pivotal, not only for Bolsonaro’s personal future but for Brazil’s political climate as a whole. As the former president recovers from surgery and faces ongoing legal battles, his fate hangs in the balance—caught between the demands of justice, the realities of his health, and the passions of a deeply divided nation.
For now, Bolsonaro’s story is one of resilience and controversy, with each new development raising fresh questions about accountability, leadership, and the costs of power in modern Brazil.
