Papua New Guinea leader takes offense after Biden implies an uncle was eaten by cannibals

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister accuses Joe Biden of disparaging comments, sparking tensions as China seeks regional influence

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape accused Joe Biden of disparaging the South Pacific island nation by implying that an uncle of the U.S. President had been eaten by “cannibals” there during World War II.

Mr. Biden’s comments offended a key strategic ally as China moves to increase its influence in the region.

The President spoke at a Pennsylvania war memorial last week about his Army Air Corps aviator uncle Ambrose Finnegan, who was shot down over Papua New Guinea, which was a theater of heavy fighting.

“They never found the body because there used to be — there were a lot of cannibals for real in that part of New Guinea,” Mr. Biden said, referring to the country’s main island.

Mr. Marape said in a statement on Sunday that Mr. Biden “appeared to imply his uncle was eaten by cannibals.”

“President Biden’s remarks may have been a slip of the tongue; however, my country does not deserve to be labeled as such,” Mr. Marape said in a statement provided by his office to The Associated Press on April 22.

“World War II was not the doing of my people; however, they were needlessly dragged into a conflict that was not their doing,” Mr. Marape added.