President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been hospitalized because of high blood pressure and was forced to cancel his trip to the World Economic Forum, his office said Thursday.

Lula canceled the trip just before he was to leave for Davos, Switzerland, where the forum was being held.

He was hospitalized in the northeastern city of Recife, which he had visited on Wednesday, his office said.

The president's schedule for the remainder of the week also has been canceled.