Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has announced his support for his son, Flavio Bolsonaro, in the upcoming 2026 presidential elections. The endorsement came as the elder Bolsonaro was temporarily released from prison to undergo further medical procedures related to a stabbing he suffered seven years ago.
In a message read by Flavio outside the Brasilia hospital where his father is receiving treatment, Bolsonaro stated, “Out of my commitment to resisting the silencing of the popular will, I have decided to endorse Flavio Bolsonaro’s candidacy for the presidency in 2026.”
Flavio, 44, stated his intention to uphold his father’s conservative legacy in next year’s election, where he aims to unseat current leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. His announcement signals the beginning of what is expected to be a heated political battle.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes authorized Bolsonaro’s temporary release from prison, where he is serving a 27-year sentence for allegedly plotting a coup. Police officers were stationed outside his room, and the use of computers and mobile phones was prohibited.
Bolsonaro, 70, has been hospitalized multiple times for complications arising from the near-fatal stabbing he endured during his 2018 presidential campaign. The ongoing health issues have plagued him since the attack.
According to Claudio Pêroli, Bolsonaro’s physician, the three-hour surgery proceeded smoothly and without complications. He informed reporters that Bolsonaro, who is expected to remain hospitalized for five to seven days, had already returned to his room post-recovery.
The former president was arrested in late November due to concerns about potential flight risk following his conviction. His 27-year prison sentence commenced three days later. The severity of the sentence reflects the gravity of the charges against him.
The endorsement of Flavio’s candidacy marks a significant development in Brazil’s political landscape. It remains to be seen how this will impact the upcoming elections and the country’s future trajectory.
