Justice breaks confidentiality of documents relating to Tancredo Neves’ death; understand what may come to light

Just over 40 years ago, Brazil celebrated a historic moment: the election and future inauguration of the first civilian president, after two decades of military rule.

The hospitalization on the eve of the inauguration – and the unexpected death of president-elect Tancredo Neves on April 21, 1985 – once again changed the direction of national politics. And, even today, it is surrounded by mysteries and even conspiracy theories.

A decision given by the Federal Court this week may begin to resolve these doubts. The Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region was unanimous in approving that Tancredo's family have access to confidential documents about his hospitalization at the Hospital de Base, in Brasília.

The objective is to resolve the doubts of the family --- and of countless voters at the time --- about the suspicion of medical error.

Tancredo Neves was hospitalized on the eve of the presidential inauguration with diverticulitis – inflammation in the large intestine. He died a month later, on April 21, 1985.

With the new decision, the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) and the Regional Council of Medicine of the Federal District (CRM-DF) must release medical records, a list of doctors and other documents.

When contacted by g1, the entities stated that they have not yet been officially notified.

Although the decision only came in 2026, the search for explanations began in 2010, with the publication of the book "The Patient", by Luís Mir. With the family's permission, the writer researched the period in depth and found flaws in the procedures.

Lawyer Juliana Porcaro explains that the family asked the councils to release the documents, but the demand was denied based on the confidentiality of the doctor-patient relationship. Therefore, the case ended up in court.

The hypotheses of medical error raised by the author and family members are based on four factors.

Immediate surgery: experts consulted by the writer question the decision for emergency surgery. This is because procedures against diverticulitis are usually elective, that is, they can be scheduled while the patient continues with other treatments.

Questionable techniques: More than 30 companions were in the operating room during the procedure, which is prohibited for safety reasons.

Warning: Doctors involved in the treatment received a warning from CRM-DF. The reason for the notification, however, remains a mystery.

Recovery failures: The author believes that failures in the recovery protocol may have contributed to complications.

One of the most emblematic photos of the time is the photo of Tancredo Neves sitting next to the doctors (see below). Due to the region of surgery, however, he could not have been placed in that position.

After bleeding and other complications, Tancredo was transferred from the Heart Institute (Incor) already in serious condition.

"When he died, the doctors didn't have the courage to declare him dead, they called the American doctor [Warren Zapol], who came to Brazil and evaluated him", says Juliana.

For the family's lawyer and spokesperson, disclosing the data is not only in the interest of those close to her, but also helps tell the "story of a nation".

"If there is a warning, it is because there was an administrative process in the council and something was considered wrong. And it is this 'something' that the family wants to have access to. It wants to understand how the Council's own doctors understood the stance of the doctors responsible for President Tancredo Neves", he states.

Juliana says that she was with former president José Sarney, who confirms the perception that there was negligence on the part of the health team.

"He confirmed that he was afraid of assuming the presidency, because it was very delicate. Nobody knew if it would be well accepted", he comments.

With the inauguration of Sarney, Tancredo's vice-president, Brazil began a new moment in politics with the election of civilians.