• Jair Bolsonaro underwent successful surgery for a double hernia while serving a prison sentence.
• He endorsed his son Flávio Bolsonaro as the candidate for the 2026 presidential election.
• The operation took place in Brasília after court permission was granted for him to leave jail.
• Doctors expect Bolsonaro to remain hospitalized for five to seven days as he recovers.
• The endorsement comes amid ongoing political tensions in Brazil following his coup-related conviction.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro recently underwent a successful surgery for a double hernia at the DF Star Hospital in Brasília. This marks his first exit from prison since he began serving a 27-year sentence for his involvement in a failed coup attempt in 2022. His wife, Michelle, confirmed the surgery, noting that it was completed without complications, with doctors anticipating a hospitalization period of five to seven days for recovery, according to CBS News, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.

During his hospital stay, Bolsonaro officially endorsed his son's presidential campaign, stating his commitment to the "popular will". His eldest son, Flávio Bolsonaro, 44, will attempt to unseat the current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the October 2026 elections. Flávio read his father's handwritten endorsement outside the hospital, emphasizing his plan to continue his father's conservative legacy. This political announcement has raised concerns in financial markets that had anticipated a different candidate endorsement, according to BBC and South China Morning Post.

The surgery itself, lasting around three hours, was described as standard and without significant complications by Dr. Claudio Birolini, who will assess whether Bolsonaro can also undergo a procedure for blocking a nerve related to chronic hiccups. Bolsonaro had a history of health issues stemming from a severe stabbing during a 2018 campaign, which has led to numerous surgeries over the years. Despite his legal troubles, Bolsonaro continues to exert considerable influence over Brazilian politics, reaffirming his political significance even while incarcerated, according to CBS News, Reuters, and BBC.