Costa Rica president swallows wasp during press briefing

Costa Rica President Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera has burst out in laughter after he was filmed accidentally swallowing a wasp during a press briefing.

Mr Rivera was speaking at the opening of an asphalt plant in Paso Real as part of a nationwide tour when the wasp began hovering around his mouth.

Video of the unfortunate encounter captured the wasp zooming into the distracted Mr Rivera’s mouth.

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The Costa Rica president swallows the bee before continuing on with his speech.

Unable to keep a straight face however, he soon confesses to the mishap.

“I ate it, I ate the wasp!” Mr Rivera said.

Members of his entourage and journalists can be seen sharing in his amusement.

"You don't see that every day... they're going to send it to CNN, pure protein!" Mr Rivera said, before a member of his team hands him a bottle of water.