Concerns over Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s health are intensifying, raising doubts about his ability to secure victory in the pivotal elections this October.
The 80-year-old leader recently underwent a successful surgery in late April at São Paulo’s Sírio-Libanês Hospital to remove a lesion on his scalp, which had been visible in recent weeks.
Dermatologist Cristina Abdalla, who led the surgery, said the lesion is common and caused by sun exposure, Agence France-Presse reported.
Cardiologist Roberto Kalil Filho said Lula also received an injection in his right wrist to treat tendinitis in his thumb, which is expected to sideline him from large-scale events. His lesion, meanwhile, will take at least a month to heal.
“He should not participate in large-scale events over the coming days, but this will not impact his schedule for next week,” he said.
The procedure adds to a long list of health issues Lula has faced in recent years, raising questions about his ability to pursue a fourth non-consecutive term.
A series of health issues
Lula has undergone several significant medical procedures in recent years, ranging from emergency operations to routine treatments.
In January 2026, he had cataract surgery on his left eye at the CBV Hospital de Olhos in Brasília to address age-related vision loss.
He was also diagnosed with labyrinthitis, an inflammation of the inner ear, following a sudden vertigo attack in May 2025, CNN reported.
The diagnosis came months after he underwent surgery at Sírio-Libanês Hospital to drain an intracranial haemorrhage in December 2024.
He later underwent a middle meningeal artery embolisation to prevent further bleeding, following a fall in his bathroom at the presidential residence in October that caused a head injury.
In 2023, he also had hip replacement surgery to treat chronic pain caused by cartilage wear, as well as a minor eyelid procedure to remove excess skin, Bloomberg reported.
Shortly after winning the 2022 elections, he underwent a procedure to remove white patches, or leukoplakia, from his left vocal cord.
Beyond his medical history, Lula’s age has also drawn concern, with some Brazilians questioning whether he might withdraw from the race, similar to former United States President Joe Biden.
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Gym campaign
To counter these concerns and boost his re-election bid, Lula has stepped up efforts to portray himself as a healthy and active leader.
He and his allies frequently share posts of him working out, jogging, or boxing to reinforce his fitness across social media platforms.
Brazil’s first lady, Rosângela “Janja” da Silva, also livestreamed a video of her husband performing squats during an early morning workout.
“My husband has been here since 6am. He’s already done 45 minutes on the treadmill,” she said, as quoted by The Guardian.
Supporters were quick to praise Lula’s commitment to fitness on social media, with some calling him a “gym rat” capable of leading Brazil until 2030.
Others, particularly older voters, said his efforts motivate them to adopt healthier lifestyles, though it remains unclear whether this will translate into votes.
Tight race with Flavio Bolsonaro
Despite these efforts, Lula is expected to face a tight contest with Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro.
A BTG Pactual/Nexus poll showed Lula at 46 per cent and Bolsonaro at 45 per cent in a simulated run-off, Reuters reported.
Another survey by Datafolha polling firm on April 11 showed that Bolsonaro already edged out Lula in a presidential run-off, with the senator garnering 46 per cent to 45 per cent for the incumbent.
The same poll found that about 51 per cent of voters disapproved of Lula’s performance, raising concerns within his Workers’ Party.
Despite the close race, political analysts note a demographic shift in Brazil, with voters aged 60 and above gaining greater electoral influence.
Data from Brazil’s top electoral court showed the number of voters in this age group increased from 20.8 million in 2019 to 36.2 million in March this year.
Whether this shift will benefit Lula, and help him extend his political longevity, remains uncertain.
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