I believe 'God is Brazilian', made me president: Jair Bolsonaro

Jair Bolsonaro on Friday said that he never imagined that he will be the president of Brazil but God gave him the mandate and made him the leader of the country. He also said that he believes "God is Brazilian".

"I never imagined that I'd be president. No one gave us victory, but I think it was God's will. He saved my life first, then he gave me that mandate," Bolsonaro told reporters at his official residence in Brasilia.

"I believe that God is Brazilian," added the right-wing leader, who came to power on January 1.

Bolsonaro, who served in Brazil's legislature for nearly three decades, was stabbed and seriously injured while on the campaign trail in 2018, before being elected thanks in part to massive support from evangelical Christians.

His health has been a concern since the stabbing, and he has undergone several operations to treat the wounds -- most recently in September. 

Earlier this week, the 64-year-old announced he had been examined for skin cancer, appearing before reporters with a bandage on his ear.

"I have fair skin, I fish a lot, I do a lot of activities. So the possibility of skin cancer exists," he said.

A presidential spokesman said earlier the tests were routine and that Bolsonaro was in a "good state of health."

This is not the first time Bolsonaro has made a strange statement. Earlier this month, Bolsonaro claimed that Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio financed fires being set in the Amazon rainforest, without presenting any evidence.

"This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon," Bolsonaro had said. 

(With inputs from agencies)