Brazilian President Silva hospitalized for hypertension, cancels trip to Davos economic forum

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Brazil president hospitalized with hypertension

BRASILIA, Brazil — Brazil’s government says President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva suffered an an attack of high blood pressure just before his plane was about to take off for a trip to Switzerland.

A presidential spokesman says a doctor on the plane recommended that Silva cancel his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, and Silva spent the night comfortably in a hospital in the northeastern city of Recife. The spokesman spoke on condition of anonymity because of department policy.

Brazilian media reports initially said the plane was enroute to Switzerland, but the spokesman said it never took off.

Television images showed Silva being released from the hospital early Thursday morning, chatting with doctors and giving them bear hugs.