Brazilian President Lula Recovering After Emergency Brain Surgery
Brazilian President Lula Recovering After Emergency Brain Surgery

Brazilian President Luiz Inรกcio Lula da Silva, age 79, underwent emergency brain surgery on December 10, 2024, after an intracranial hemorrhage linked to a fall he suffered in October.

The surgery, performed at Sรฃo Pauloโ€™s Sรญrio-Libanรชs Hospital, was successful, and Lula is now recovering in the intensive care unit, with doctors monitoring him closely.

A Serious Situation Triggered by an October Fall

Back in October, Lula fell at home and hit the back of his head, causing what was initially described as minor trauma and a small brain bleed.

While he appeared to recover at the time, he canceled his trip to the BRICS summit in Russia on the advice of his doctors, who warned against long-haul travel. Despite the precautions, Lula started experiencing intense headaches in recent days, leading to urgent tests that revealed the need for surgery.

The MRI scan detected the bleeding had worsened, making surgery unavoidable. Doctors decided on immediate action to prevent any further complications, transferring the president from Brasรญlia to Sรฃo Paulo overnight for the procedure.

Recovery and Current Condition

The surgery went as planned, and while Lula remains in intensive care, the government has confirmed he is stable and conscious. According to his spokesperson Paulo Pimenta, Lula is calm and under strict supervision from his medical team. He will stay in the ICU for at least the next 48 hours to ensure no further complications arise.

Vice President Geraldo Alckmin has taken over Lulaโ€™s immediate agenda but has not officially assumed presidential powers. Alckmin canceled plans in Sรฃo Paulo to return to Brasรญlia, where he is stepping in for Lula during meetings, including one with the Slovak Prime Minister.

Health Challenges Adding Up

This latest health scare is one of many Lula has faced in recent years. In 2023, he underwent hip surgery to alleviate chronic pain that had become unbearable. Years earlier, in 2011, he battled throat cancer, undergoing months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Though his resilience is well-documented, there is growing concern about how much these setbacks might affect his ability to lead Brazil through the remainder of his term.

Political Future in Question

Lula is currently midway through his third term as president, having returned to office in 2022 after defeating Jair Bolsonaro in a contentious election. Despite his health, Lula has hinted he might run again in 2026 if no other viable candidates from his Workers’ Party emerge. However, weak municipal election results for the party this year underscore the lack of a clear successor, raising questions about the left’s future in Brazil if Lula steps aside.

For now, the focus remains on Lulaโ€™s recovery and his ability to return to his duties. Doctors and government officials are expected to provide updates on his condition in the coming days.

Source: Reuters

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Miloลก Nikolovski
Miloลก Nikolovski
I am Milos Nikolovski, a journalist who moves with curiosity through stories that matter. I cover politics, food, culture, economics, conflict, and the small details that shape how people live. I spend time on the ground, speak directly to those at the center, and follow facts wherever they lead. I write about markets and ministers, street food and foreign policy, everyday life and shifting power. My work stays close to people and far from noise. I believe good journalism speaks clearly, asks better questions, and never loses sight of the bigger picture.
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