Brazil’s President Lula Cancels Trip to BRICS Summit Due to Injury, Will Participate Virtually

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has canceled his plans to attend the annual BRICS summit in Russia due to an injury he sustained earlier in the week. The 78-year-old leader was hospitalized after slipping in his bathroom, resulting in a blunt trauma to the back of his head. Though he has since been discharged, Lula has been advised by doctors to avoid long-distance travel.

The summit, which will take place in Kazan, Russia, from Tuesday, will now be attended by Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira on behalf of the president. Lula will still participate in the event via videoconference.

BRICS, initially founded in 2006 to promote trade and economic cooperation among Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has since grown to include more members and address a broader range of global issues. Lula has previously emphasized the group’s potential to significantly influence global development, with BRICS nations now representing a third of the world’s economy.