Shock as president rushed to hospital during G20 summit

Paraguay’s President, Santiago Peña, has been rushed to a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday after experiencing health complications while attending the G20 summit.

A statement from Paraguayan authorities confirmed that Peña, 46, was admitted to the Samaritano Hospital in the Botafogo area after falling ill. The hospital disclosed that Peña had suffered “a malaise in the afternoon” and was taken for diagnostic tests. His condition is reportedly stable.

According to witnesses, the president was transported from the summit venue by ambulance. Reports from some Latin American outlets suggest he may have experienced chest pains.

Paraguay’s Vice President, Pedro Alliana, later provided an update via social media, saying, “I spoke with President Santiago Peña, who is in the Samaritano Hospital in Rio de Janeiro after a slight illness. He is doing well and is awaiting the results of his medical examinations.”

https://x.com/AllianaPedro/status/1858671792631496920?t=4pVj3Aqkv4Cfcd39t77TEA&s=19

Although Paraguay is not a G20 member, Peña was among the leaders invited to the summit by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the host of this year’s event. Before his sudden illness, Peña had been presenting Paraguay’s economic advancements, particularly its progress in poverty reduction, to other summit participants.

The incident has drawn attention across Latin America, with many expressing relief at the news of Peña’s stable condition and wishing him a speedy recovery.