Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Condemns President Biden's "Cannibalism" Remarks

Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea has strongly criticized President Biden’s recent suggestion that his uncle, a U.S. serviceman whose plane went down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of New Guinea during World War II, had been eaten by cannibals there. Marape emphasized that his country does not deserve such a label and expressed his disapproval of the remarks made by the U.S. President.

Response to President Biden's Remarks

In a statement provided to reputable news organizations including The Associated Press and Reuters, Marape stated, “President Biden’s remarks may have been a slip of the tongue; however, my country does not deserve to be labeled as such.” This response comes after President Biden twice suggested, without evidence, that his uncle had been eaten by cannibals. The Prime Minister expressed his concern over the impact of such statements on the reputation of Papua New Guinea.

Strategic Partnership with the United States

Papua New Guinea has established itself as an important strategic partner of the United States in the region. Marape has visited the White House twice, reflecting the growing relationship between the two countries. However, his office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday regarding President Biden’s remarks.

The incident has sparked international attention and raised discussions on the importance of diplomatic discourse and the impact of leaders' words on international relations.