Brazil’s president says he will undergo fifth surgery

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro says that he will undergo yet another surgery as a result of his near-fatal stabbing on the campaign trail in 2018.

Bolsonaro, speaking in an interview broadcast Sunday on television network Record, said the surgery “should be the last one,” without providing further details. It would be his fifth procedure since the assassination attempt. His spokesperson did not provide additional information.

Bolsonaro was stabbed in the abdomen in September 2018 during a campaign rally while being carried on the shoulders of supporters. The attempt on his life caused intestinal damage and serious internal bleeding, and required emergency surgery.

He has since had a series of other operations, to unblock his intestine, remove a colostomy bag, and correct a hernia related to his recovery.

The interview was conducted by a comedian impersonating Bolsonaro, and who wore a mock presidential sash.