Luis Inacio Lula da Silva has announced that he will run for a fourth term as president of Brazil in the 2026 election, the BBC reported.
The 79-year-old president indicated during his latest election campaign that this would be his last, but stressed that he did not see his age as an obstacle. He says that even though he is approaching 80, he has the same energy as when he was 30.
The decision to run comes despite the health problems that Lula has had in office after winning the most contested runoff in the history of the South American country.
Brazil's oldest president when he took office underwent surgery in December last year for a brain hemorrhage caused by a blow to the head he suffered when he fell in the presidential palace.
Lula da Silva defeated then-incumbent Jair Bolsonaro 51% to 49% in the 2022 election. The former president is unlikely to be able to oppose Lula again, as he is serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a military coup.
Brazil's constitution limits presidents to two consecutive terms. Lula served two terms as president between 2003 and 2011.