US urges Paraguay to work with Taiwan amid COVID-19 pandemic protests

TAIPEI: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Paraguay to work with its diplomatic ally Taiwan 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 Asuncion over the lack of medicine and intensive care beds amid a spike in coronavirus cases and calls to impeach President Mario Abdo. The US State Department said Blinken spoke with Abdo on Sunday (Mar 14), outlining US efforts to help tackle the pandemic, and underscored the importance of free expression, peaceful demonstration and the…