Jair Bolsonaro hospitalised in Florida as Brazil reels from riots in capital
- Brazil’s ex-president received treatment in a Florida hospital a day after his supporters invaded the seat of power in Brasilia
- Jair Bolsonaro’s future in the United States, where he travelled with a visa issued to heads of state, is in question
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a leftist who took office on January 1 after defeating Bolsonaro in an October election, vowed to bring those responsible to justice. He accused rioters of trying to overthrow democracy, and questioned why the army had not discouraged calls for a military coup outside their barracks.
On Sunday, angry mobs rampaged through Congress, the Supreme Court and presidential offices, smashing windows, furniture and artwork in the worst attack on state institutions since Brazil’s return to democracy in the 1980s.
Bolsonaro, who flew to the United States days before his term in office ended, went to a hospital in Orlando on Monday complaining of intestinal pains related to a stabbing he suffered during the 2018 election campaign.
His doctor said he has an intestinal blockage that was not serious and would likely not need surgery.
The former president posted a photograph of himself on his Twitter page showing him in a hospital bed.