Brazilian President Lula Leaves Hospital, Speaks Publicly for First Time Since Surgeries

Brazilian President Lula Leaves Hospital, Speaks Publicly for First Time Since Surgeries
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva waves while leaves the Sirio-Libanes Hospital after a surgery, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Dec. 15, 2024. Felipe Iruata/Reuters
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RIO DE JANEIRO—Doctors discharged Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from a Sao Paulo hospital on Sunday, after a pair of emergency surgeries last week to treat and prevent bleeding in his head.

The 79-year-old leftist leader also spoke publicly for the first time at a hospital press conference, appearing upbeat wearing a hat and gesturing frequently with his hands as he talked. He stressed that he was eager to get back to work as soon as possible, which his medical team said they approved, along with advice to avoid long-haul international flights until further notice and exercise for up to a month.