Jair Bolsonaro has shared a photo of himself in hospital while being treated in the United States, a day after his supporters ransacked Brazil’s Congress.
The former Brazilian president sought medical treatment in Orlando, Fla., on Monday after complaining of pain from a stab wound he suffered during his 2018 election campaign.
He tweeted a photo of himself lying in hospital and thanked people for their “prayers and messages for a speedy recovery”.
His wife, Michelle, told her 5.8 million Instagram followers: “Dear ones, I would like to inform you that my husband Jair Bolsonaro is under observation in hospital due to abdominal discomfort resulting from the after-effects of the stab wound he received in 2018.”
Relatives “pray for his health”, added Ms. Bolsonaro.
Mr Bolsonaro, 67, has an intestinal blockage that is not serious and unlikely to require surgery, his doctor said.
Around 1,500 of his supporters were arrested following the invasion of Congress, the Presidential Palace and the Supreme Court of Brazil.
The far-right former prime minister flew to the US days before the end of his term and said he intended to stay until the end of January – but plans now to go back to Brazil early to see his doctors.
However, his ability to remain in the United States, where he traveled on a visa issued to heads of state and other government officials, is in question.
Texas Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro said the United States should not give refuge to an “authoritarian who inspired domestic terrorism” and called out Mr Bolsonaro – who is the subject of several investigations before the Supreme Court of Brazil – from.
The US government declined to comment on the current status of Mr. Bolsonaro’s visa.
But a spokesperson for the US State Department said a person who entered on a visa for foreign officials must leave within 30 days or apply for a change in immigration status if they are no longer engaged in official business.
Thousands of Mr Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace in Brazil, in a chilling echo of riots in the US Capitol by supporters of former US President Donald Trump.
Read more:
Who are the protesters and why did they ransack the Brazilian capital?
Devastation following protests by Bolsonaro supporters
Unrest follows left-wing inauguration President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who overthrew Mr. Bolsonaro in one of the tightest presidential races with 50.9% of the vote.
Mr Silva accused the rioters of trying to overthrow democracy and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
