Brazilian President Luiz InĂ¡cio Lula da Silva speaks during an event commemorating the International Amazon Rainforest Day at the Nobre Hall of the Planalto Government Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on September 5, 2023.
Andreasa Anholt | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was flown to Sao Paulo overnight for emergency surgery to drain bleeding from his brain caused by a fall in October, a medical report released by the Brazilian government on Tuesday said.
The note said the operation was successful and Lula, 79, was “in good condition” and was being monitored in the intensive care unit. Doctors will hold a news conference at 9 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) to provide details.
Concerns are growing about the health of the aging president, a standard-bearer for the Latin American left who is halfway through his third non-consecutive term.
Lula has cut back on travel in recent months while doctors monitor his recovery from a trauma to the back of his head that required stitches after a fall at home in late October.
During a meeting with congressional leaders on Monday night, Lula complained of worsening headaches and ended the meeting so he could go to a hospital in Brasilia, according to a source in the presidential office who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Lula underwent an MRI scan, which revealed intracranial bleeding, and he was transferred to SĂ£o Paulo’s SĂlio Libanes Hospital for surgery.
At the end of October, Lula fell at home, causing minor brain hemorrhage and trauma to the back of his head, requiring stitches.
Tests in early November showed Lula’s condition was stable and Lula remains active, recently traveling to Montevideo to discuss the Mercosur trade deal.
The president’s injury forced him to cancel a trip to Russia for the BRICS summit in Kazan and heed medical advice to avoid long-distance flights for the time being.
Brazilian Labor Minister Luis Marinho was one of the first politicians to wish Lula a speedy and full recovery on social media platform X.
