Following a head injury last weekend, the Brazilian president had to undergo further medical examinations on medical advice.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has cancelled his trip to attend the COP16 summit, the United Nations conference on biodiversity, being held in Cali, Colombia, his office announced.

Following a head injury last weekend, Lula had to undergo further medical examinations on medical advice, the statement said.

Although his medical team says he is “stable” and “fit” to work, the Brazilian president required stitches.

On October 22, the doctors said that “the imaging test is stable compared to the previous one,” however, they had to perform a new control test scheduled for today, Friday, October 25.

Lula said the accident was “serious,” but clarified that “it did not affect any delicate parts.”

On medical advice, he also cancelled his planned trip to Russia for the BRICS summit, although he participated via video conference.

“Not even Lula accompanied me”: Petro

During the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor of the OAS, which took place in Bogotá, President Gustavo Petro spoke about the development of COP16 in Cali and made a striking statement about the lack of participation of heads of state in the event.

"Not even Lula came with me, but oh well," said the president after pointing out that the summit was mostly attended by the "people."

The Colombian president criticized the absence of heads of state, as months ago the presence of more than 100 environment ministers and 196 United Nations delegations, in addition to at least 10 presidents, had been announced.

The Colombian government regretted the absence of Lula da Silva.

"It's sad because Brazil has really been a key partner for Colombia (...) but I want to tell everyone that the Minister (of Environment of Brazil), Marina Silva, will be here," said the Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad, to Blu Radio .

“It is an unfortunate event” but “our alliance remains very strong and we know that Brazil is supporting us a lot,” said the minister.

Adding to the list of absences was Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, successor to Andrés Manuel López Obrador and who has had a good relationship with the Colombian leader since her inauguration, who also did not attend. It is not yet known why.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro and her Panamanian counterpart, José Raúl Mulino, were also announced among the 10 presidents who would attend the event, but they cancelled at the last minute.