Update: Brazil President Leaves Hospital After Treatment For Blocked Intestine

President Jair Bolsonaro

President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil who was hospitalized after being admitted with serious intestine problems has been released and has resumed work.

Bolsonaro, 66, had been suffering persistent hiccups for 10 days and there have been concerns about the leader's health since he was stabbed in the intestines while campaigning in 2018.

He was seriously wounded in the attack and lost 40% of his blood. He has had several operations since.

After treatment for an obstruction to the intestine,  he promised to be at his office on Monday morning, and on Sunday, July 18 he released a statement saying he was back to work.

"Only God can remove me from that chair," Mr Bolsonaro said upon leaving hospital, in reference to the presidency.

"I wanted to leave from day one, but they didn't let me. I hope in 10 days I'll be eating barbecued ribs, eating anything," he added.

After two-and-a-half years of a controversial presidency, Bolsonaro is under growing pressure over his handling of the pandemic.

He has been criticised for the lack of a national response to the crisis and his scepticism toward vaccines, lockdowns and mask-wearing.

In Brazil, Covid deaths have surpassed 500,000 - the second-highest in the world after the US.