Southeast Asia welcomed a surprise new member from the other side of the world, Colombia, on Saturday, at least for a moment, thanks to a verbal slip from Joe Biden.
"
I want to thank the Prime Minister for Colombia's leadership in the ASEAN presidency
," the US President said as he opened the Southeast Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, alongside the Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen.
Read alsoOpening of the ASEAN summit, against a backdrop of tensions with Burma
Colombia, a South American country, seems to be on the mind of the American president, because he made the same mistake when he left the White House for his long trip to Asia.
He told reporters he was "
heading for Colombia
" ("
Colombia
"), before quickly correcting himself to say "
I mean, Cambodia
" ("
Cambodia
").
Joe Biden, who turns 80 this month, has been known for his many blunders since the start of his career in Washington.
His latest, which is easily disputed from a geographical point of view, was nevertheless less embarrassing than that of his vice-president last September in South Korea.
Kamala Harris, during a visit to the demilitarized zone separating North Korea from South Korea, said that the United States had “
an alliance with the Republic of North Korea.
And it is an alliance that is strong and lasting
”.
SEE ALSO -
"Where is Jackie?": Biden appeals to a deceased parliamentarian during a speech