At Thursday’s U.N. General Assembly, Colombia’s Abelardo de la Espriella stayed home as promised, with Vice President José Manuel Restrepo delivering his speech. Bolivia’s Rodrigo Paz spoke defiantly, while Paraguay’s Santiago Peña reaffirmed support for Taiwan.
De la Espriella had pledged during his campaign to forgo foreign trips to focus on domestic issues, particularly urban crime and violence by illegal armed groups. Restrepo said the speech began by praising Colombia’s resilience after an earthquake that killed at least 289 people last month.
Bolivia’s Paz spoke amid political ruptures, corruption scandals and protests; many ministers he appointed had left. Contaminated gasoline damaged more than 10,000 vehicles, and protesters besieged the government seat for nearly eight weeks. He said the economy was improving and fuel shortages were being managed. Ghana’s John Dramani Mahama appeared to refer to Trump’s Tuesday remark that he might “annihilate” Iran and thanked 123 countries that voted to affirm a resolution recognizing crimes of the transatlantic slave trade. Paraguay alone in South America recognizes Taiwan, one of 12 countries worldwide; Peña said Indo-Pacific conflict affects microchips and global economy.
