Brazil’s Supreme Court rejects Jair Bolsonaro’s request for house arrest

Brazil's Supreme Court has denied Jair Bolsonaro's request for house arrest, filed on humanitarian grounds due to recent health issues. The former president, who underwent treatment for hiccups and a hernia, is currently imprisoned at the federal police headquarters in Brasilia. Justice Alexandre de Moraes stated that Bolsonaro has access to adequate medical care in custody and his health is improving. Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting to overturn his 2022 electoral defeat. This is not the first time the court has rejected similar petitions from Bolsonaro, who was taken into custody in November after damaging an ankle monitor.

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's imprisoned former president, underwent a second medical procedure in Brasília on Monday to treat persistent hiccups. Doctors performed a phrenic nerve block on his left phrenic nerve, following a similar procedure on his right side on Saturday. This follows a double hernia surgery he had on Christmas Day. Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup, has been experiencing recurring hiccups for months. His medical team expects his hospitalization to be short, and his condition is currently stable. The Supreme Court allowed Bolsonaro's transfer from federal police headquarters to the hospital for treatment. Prior to his recent surgeries, Bolsonaro underwent intestinal surgery in April.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro underwent a phrenic nerve block procedure on Saturday to treat persistent hiccups, which his wife says he has suffered with for nine months. Doctors blocked the right phrenic nerve and scheduled a second procedure for the left nerve. Bolsonaro, currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup after his 2022 election loss, was temporarily released from jail for hernia surgery on Wednesday, during which time he received the hiccup treatment. He was authorized to leave prison for the surgery at the request of his lawyers. Bolsonaro has faced health issues since a 2018 stabbing during his presidential campaign, requiring multiple abdominal surgeries. Upon discharge, he will return to federal police jail.

Brazil's Supreme Court has granted Jair Bolsonaro, the former president imprisoned for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election, temporary release for a hernia surgery on December 25th. Justice Alexandre de Moraes approved Bolsonaro's transfer from a federal police jail in Brasilia to a hospital for the procedure, addressing ongoing health issues stemming from a 2018 stabbing. Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence, was found guilty in September. A recently passed bill aiming to reduce his sentence has sparked protests and criticism, with President Lula promising to veto it, despite potential congressional override. The US has lifted sanctions previously placed on Justice Moraes.

In December 2025, Brazil's Supreme Court approved a request for former President Jair Bolsonaro to temporarily leave prison for hernia surgery. Justice Alexandre de Moraes authorized Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence for his involvement in a coup plot, to undergo the procedure on Thursday at Hospital DF Star in Brasilia. Bolsonaro's lawyers stated that the hernia was causing him pain. This marks the first time Bolsonaro has left federal custody since his imprisonment in late November. Authorities have been ordered to monitor Bolsonaro around the clock during his hospital stay. His health issues also caused him to cancel an interview where he was expected to endorse his son Flavio's 2026 presidential bid.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, currently imprisoned for an attempted coup, underwent a "successful" surgery for a painful double inguinal hernia at the DF Star Hospital in Brasilia on December 25, 2025. The 70-year-old was granted temporary release from his 27-year prison sentence to undergo the procedure, which was deemed necessary by federal police doctors. Bolsonaro, who was in power from 2019 to 2022, has had multiple surgeries since being stabbed in 2018 and was recently diagnosed with skin cancer. Doctors anticipate he will remain hospitalized for five to seven days and will assess if he can undergo an additional procedure for recurrent hiccups.

Havaianas, a popular Brazilian flip-flop brand, is facing a boycott from the country's right-wing political figures. The controversy began with a new holiday campaign featuring actress Fernanda Torres, a progressive icon, who playfully urged Brazilians not to start the New Year "on the right foot." Prominent conservatives, including the sons of former President Jair Bolsonaro, interpreted the campaign as a political message against their movement. Eduardo Bolsonaro called for a boycott of Havaianas on social media, leading to backlash from his allies. The boycott comes ahead of a momentous presidential election in Brazil.

On December 10, 2025, a Brazilian lawmaker protested a bill in Congress that could significantly reduce ex-President Jair Bolsonaro's 27-year prison sentence. The protest took place within the Brazilian Congress chamber. The lawmaker opposed the bill, believing it would unduly benefit Bolsonaro. The situation escalated, leading to the lawmaker's removal from Congress by police. The news article reports on this event, highlighting the tension surrounding the proposed bill and its potential impact on Bolsonaro's imprisonment.

Brazil's Congress experienced turmoil as conservative lawmakers pushed for a law that would reduce Jair Bolsonaro's 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup after his 2022 election defeat. The proposed law would also benefit Bolsonaro supporters convicted of storming government buildings. A left-wing lawmaker was forcibly removed by police after disrupting proceedings, and scuffles broke out. Simultaneously, Bolsonaro's legal team requested permission for him to leave prison for surgery and serve his sentence under house arrest due to health concerns. The debate over the law, which could reduce Bolsonaro's sentence to two years and four months, led to heated exchanges and accusations of censorship after reporters were removed from the chamber.

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of imprisoned former President Jair Bolsonaro, has reaffirmed his commitment to running in Brazil's 2026 presidential race. This announcement follows controversy sparked by Flavio's earlier suggestion that he might withdraw his candidacy for the right "price," a comment widely interpreted as a reference to his father's imprisonment for attempting to overturn the 2022 election. Flavio has since retracted that suggestion, stating his candidacy is "irreversible" after discussing it with his father. Jair Bolsonaro has endorsed his son's presidential bid. The 2026 election will also include current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who intends to run for a fourth term.

Brazil's Chamber of Deputies passed a controversial bill on December 10, 2025, that could reduce the 27-year prison sentence of former President Jair Bolsonaro for his role in a coup attempt. The bill, which now goes to the Senate, aims to reduce sentences for over 1,000 people involved in the January 8, 2023 attacks on government buildings in Brasilia. The legislation would benefit Bolsonaro and other officials convicted of plotting to remain in power after the 2022 election. The vote was met with outrage and resulted in a physical altercation in the Chamber, involving lawmakers, police, and journalists, with reports of journalists being forcibly removed and assaulted.