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US Urges Paraguay to Work with Taiwan Amid Pandemic Protests

Reuters

   TAIPEI - U.S. Secretary of State AntonyBlinkenhas urged Paraguay to
   work with itsdiplomatic allyTaiwan to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic,
   after protests in the South American country over the government's
   handling of the health crisis.

   Thousands of Paraguayans have protested in the capital Asunción over
   the lack of medicine and intensive care beds amid a spike in
   coronavirus cases and calls to impeach President Mario Abdo.

   The U.S. State Department saidBlinkenspoke with Abdo on Sunday,
   outlining U.S. efforts to help tackle the pandemic, and underscored the
   importance of free expression, peaceful demonstration, and the rule of
   law.

   "Thesecretary stressed the importance of continuing to work with
   democratic regional and global partners, including Taiwan, to overcome
   this global pandemic, combat corruption, and increase transparency and
   accountability,"it said in a statement.

   Paraguay is Taiwan's sole remainingdiplomatic allyin South America.
   China views democratic Taiwan as one of its provinces, with no right to
   the trappings of a state.

   The United States has expressed concern at Beijing's efforts to win
   over the remaining 15 countriesthatstill have formal ties with Taipei
   and expand Chinese influence, especially in Latin America,which
   Washington traditionally views as its backyard.

   Paraguay had kept infections very low early last year,but COVID-19
   cases have jumped since September and vaccines have been slow to
   arrive, though Chile donated around 20,000 doses of the Chinese-made
   Sinovac vaccine to Paraguay this month.

   Paraguay's Senate last week approved a declaration of support for a
   plan to use $12.8 million in funds given by Taiwan for a housing
   development project to be used to buy 2 million vaccine doses.

   Taiwan Foreign MinistryspokeswomanJoanne Ou said Taiwan and Paraguay
   have a"solid friendship."

   "Our government will continue to uphold the spirit of pulling together
   in times of trouble and trying our best to assist allies to fight the
   pandemic together within the scope of our capabilities,"she said.

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