Brazilian far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro has been stabbed during a campaign rally in Minas Gerais Thursday.
“Jair Bolsonaro was stabbed at an event in MG (Minas Gerais) but is out of danger,” his son Eduardo Bolsonaro tweeted Thursday. “I ask that you pray for him.”
Translation from Portuguese: The information I have is preliminary and in this kind of situation there is always a lot of news unfounded. But it came to me that Jair Bolsonaro was stabbed at an event in MG, but is out of danger of death. I ask you to pray for him and to know something more public here
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But late Thursday, Reuters news agency reported that Bolsonaro was in the intensive care unit of a local hospital and had undergone surgery.
Another of the candidate’s sons, Flavio also tweeted about his father’s condition. ” “He lost a lot of blood, arrived at the hospital … almost dead. He appears to have stabilized now. Please pray.” he said.
Translation from Portuguese: Unfortunately, it was more serious than we expected. The perforation reached part of the liver, the lung, and the bowel strap. He lost a lot of blood, came to the hospital with pressure of 10/3, almost dead… His condition now seems stabilized. Pray, please!
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Several videos posted on social media show Bolsonaro riding on the shoulder of a supporter during a rally when he was stabbed in his abdomen.
Other videos show him being carried to car and his supporters hitting the apparent attacker, who was arrested at the scene.
Bolsonaro is trailing in the polls behind jailed former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who is not allowed to stand for elections but continues to appeal the rule.
Bolsonaro is running on promises of being tough on crime and corruption. He has been known to promise to give police more powers to kill while on duty. He speaks fondly of Brazil’s 1964-1985 military dictatorship.
He has also faced fines and charges for derogatory statements toward women, people of color and gays.
Bolsonaro’s comments have deeply polarized Brazil as it heads into the election next month.
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