Paraguayan President Santiago Peña was discharged from the Samaritano Hospital in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, after being hospitalized the previous night following a sudden health scare during his attendance at the G20 summit in Brazil.
Peña, 46, was rushed to the hospital after experiencing chest pains, prompting medical staff to quickly intervene and transport him from the summit venue by ambulance.
The Samaritano Hospital confirmed in a statement that Peña was discharged early in the morning, with doctors assuring that there were no indications of serious underlying health issues.
“The head of state has been cleared to continue his schedule, as there are no signs of heart trouble or any other severe condition,” the statement read.
Peña himself appeared in a video released by the Paraguayan presidency, reassuring the public that he had recovered and was feeling well enough to resume his duties.
Paraguay’s Health Minister, María Teresa Barán, provided further clarification, stating that Peña’s test results came back normal, confirming that he was in good health but had been advised to take some rest.
Peña’s brief hospitalization was a concern for the country and the international community, as the summit was a significant opportunity for leaders to discuss pressing global issues.
Although Paraguay is not a member of the G20, Peña was invited to the summit by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, along with other non-member state leaders.
Before his health scare, Peña had delivered a presentation on Paraguay’s economic situation, emphasizing the country’s efforts toward poverty reduction and economic recovery. He had been engaging in high-level discussions on the global economic challenges, which were central to the summit’s agenda.
In the video, Peña, smiling and visibly recovered, attributed the stress of the past few days to a series of emotional events, including his recent birthday celebrations and a tense World Cup qualifier match between Paraguay and Bolivia.
Peña explained that the combination of emotions might have affected his mood and contributed to his condition.
Despite this, he reassured viewers that he was “strong” and fully committed to representing his country for the remainder of the G20 summit, which concluded on Tuesday.
This incident raised concerns over Peña’s health, but his recovery and subsequent discharge have been met with relief both at home and abroad.
The president’s swift recovery underscores the resilience of his leadership, and he remains focused on continuing his diplomatic engagement at the G20.
