U.S. urges Paraguay to work with Taiwan amid pandemic protests

Paraguayans take part in a protest against President Mario Abdo Benitez's health policies and the lack of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines in front of the National Congress in Asuncion, Paraguay March 9, 2021. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo

TAIPEI (Reuters) - U.S. 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 Asunción over the lack of medicine and intensive care beds amid a spike in coronavirus cases and calls to impeach President Mario Abdo.