Former president is admitted to Hospital DF Star, in Brasília, after diagnosis of bilateral bacterial bronchopneumonia
The former president (PL) left the Papudinha prison, in the Federal District, and was admitted to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of the DF Star Hospital this Friday (13.mar.2026). Bolsonaro was diagnosed with bilateral bacterial bronchopneumonia caused by aspiration, according to a hospital bulletin. Here is it (PDF – 167 kB).
Bronchoaspiration occurs when stomach contents, saliva or food enter the airways, which can cause inflammation and, in some cases, develop into pneumonia.
Bolsonaro presented serious symptoms, including bacteremia —presence of bacteria in the bloodstream— and a sharp drop in oxygen saturation, which reached 80%.
The former president’s cardiologist, Leandro Echenique, stated on Friday night (13 March 2026) that the former head of the Executive’s health condition still requires rigorous care and that the condition is far from being considered stable. According to him, there is no forecast for leaving the ICU.
Doctor Brasil Caiado spoke to the press at around 1:30 pm and said that . According to him, this is the most intense pneumonia ever recorded in Bolsonaro.
“And what stands out is that this pneumonia is the biggest, more pronounced compared to the others he’s had. This requires special care now”, the doctor told journalists.
Caiado said that, normally, bronchopneumonia requires hospitalization for at least .
Watch the statement (2min52s):
WHAT HAPPENED
Jair Bolsonaro (PL) at around 2 am at the 19th Military Police Battalion of the Federal District, known as Papudinha. The former president had a high fever, intense headache, chills and severe discomfort.
In view of the symptoms, a Samu team that remains on duty at the scene was called to provide the first assistance. Doctor Brasil Caiado later evaluated Bolsonaro and already suspected pneumonia.
Bolsonaro to DF Star Hospital around 8:50 am. Police officers covered the moment when the ambulance was transferred to the health unit with a cloth.
He underwent a series of tests, including a chest and sinus CT scan, laboratory tests and a viral panel to rule out other possible infections.
The tomography indicated bilateral bronchopneumonia, more pronounced in the left lung. Treatment was started immediately with antibiotics administered intravenously. Two medications were used preventively and therapeutically.
After starting the medication, Bolsonaro showed a small improvement, but still reported nausea, headache and muscle pain typical of an infectious condition.
HEALTH HISTORY
Since during the 2018 election campaign, in Juiz de ForaBolsonaro underwent 14 surgeries. Of the total, 10 are directly related to sequelae caused by the abdominal injury and complications arising from subsequent procedures.
The former president suffers from refractory, or chronic, hiccups, which can cause reflux with substances entering the respiratory tract, as occurred in the early hours of this Friday (March 13, 2026).
The 3 most recent surgeries were performed on December 25, 27 and 29, 2025. At Christmas, a procedure called bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy was performed, indicated to correct two hernias in the groin region — one on the right side and one on the left.
The 2nd and 3rd surgeries were performed to block the phrenic nerve, the right and left respectively, with the aim of reducing hiccups episodes.
6 hour fast
O senator (PL-RJ) in this 6ª fair (13.mar.2026) one fast of 6 hours, and 0h to the 6h, em reason and hospitalization do pai, Jair Bolsonaro. Earlier, the presidential pre-candidate who “They are playing with your health” by Jair Bolsonaro. The senator asked that the father be arrested at home.
Watch the statement (2min07s):
