Brazil’s Silva hospitalized for hypertension, cancels trip to economic forum

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Brazil’s Silva hospitalized with hypertension

BRASILIA, Brazil — The Brazilian government says the plane carrying President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had to turn back from its trip to Switzerland to bring him to a hospital.

Brazilian media reported that Silva suffered an attack of hypertension involving high blood pressure shortly after his presidential plane left the nation and was en route to Switzerland from the northeastern city of Recife.

A statement from the presidency issued Thursday said Silva was treated overnight at a Recife hospital and passed the night comfortably.

Television images showed him being released from the hospital early Thursday morning, and chatting with doctors.

Silva had been set to receive a new “Global Statesmanship Award” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.