Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, commonly known as Lula, is recovering in intensive care following emergency surgery to drain blood from his brain. A medical note from the Brazilian government confirmed the procedure was necessary after a worsening headache led to his hospitalization.
The 79-year-old leader, who had been closely monitored by doctors after a fall at his home in late October, reduced his travel schedule in recent months as part of his recovery. Yesterday, Lula ended a meeting with congressional leaders early due to severe head pain, according to a presidential office source.
After undergoing an MRI scan in Brasília, Lula was transferred overnight to São Paulo, approximately 620 miles away, where the surgery was successfully performed.
The hospital reported that the president is now stable and recovering well in an intensive care unit (ICU). Presidential spokesperson Paulo Pimenta stated in a radio interview that Lula is expected to remain in the ICU for another 48 hours, with contact restricted to his medical team.
“He is stable, conscious, and calm,” Pimenta assured.
Lula woke up briefly as the anesthesia wore off early Tuesday morning and later returned to sleep. By 9 a.m. local time today, his medical team confirmed he was speaking and eating normally. They also noted that he had no brain injuries and could potentially return to Brasília next week if his recovery continues as expected.
Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin has stepped in to manage Lula’s duties, including hosting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Alckmin canceled his plans in São Paulo to return to the capital. Lula’s health had been under scrutiny since his fall in October, which led to medical advice to limit travel, particularly long-haul flights. Following the accident, he canceled a trip to Russia for the BRICS summit in Kazan but remained active dom
