Early-stage skin cancer detected in Bolsonaro's skin lesions, doctors say

Doctors for former President Jair Bolsonaro said Wednesday that early-stage cancer was detected in skin lesions removed over the weekend from the 70-year-old politician, following his conviction last week on charges of attempting a coup. Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest in Brasília while his sentence is finalized, has been hospitalized twice since Thursday's verdict. He went to the DF Star hospital Sunday to have eight lesions removed for testing, and returned Tuesday because of vomiting and low blood pressure before being released Wednesday.

Results showed early-stage cancer in two of the lesions, doctors said in a statement, adding that Bolsonaro will need clinical monitoring and regular reevaluation. The finding comes as the former president faces a legal process that could put him in prison once his sentence is finalized, a process that has been prolonged by ongoing appeals and procedural steps.

The case has taken place amid a broader political and legal saga. A panel of Supreme Court justices on Thursday found Bolsonaro guilty of attempting a coup to illegally stay in power despite his 2022 electoral defeat to current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. They sentenced him to 27 years and three months in prison. However, the sentence does not immediately send Bolsonaro to prison. The court panel has up to 60 days to publish the ruling after the decision, and Bolsonaro's lawyers have five days to file motions for clarification once it is published.

Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing and says he is the victim of political persecution. U.S. President Donald Trump has described the trial as a witch hunt and, in July, imposed tariffs of 50% on Brazilian goods, citing the case among other issues. Since early August Bolsonaro has been under house arrest, with an ankle monitor and tightened security measures ordered by Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The authorities have increased inspections of vehicles leaving Bolsonaro's residence and monitored the exterior of his home. Bolsonaro's health history includes hospitalization after a stabbing at a 2018 campaign event and, in April, surgery for a bowel obstruction. Lawyers for Bolsonaro are expected to argue that his health should support continued house arrest rather than confinement once his sentence is finalized.