Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte tells Obama to 'go to hell'
On Tuesday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte once again attacked President Obama, this time telling the president to "go to hell." The remark was Duterte's response to criticism about his country's drug crackdown — which has killed more than 3,000 suspected drug dealers and users since June, when Duterte assumed office.
"Instead of helping us, the first to hit was the State Department. So you can go to hell, Mr. Obama. You can go to hell," Duterte said, arguing that the U.S. should have supported his efforts instead of focusing on the death toll. As for the European Union, which also criticized Duterte's crackdown, he said: "Better choose purgatory, hell is full already."
In another speech later Tuesday, Duterte suggested he would "break up with America," though it was unclear whether he meant he'd cut ties during his six-year term. "I would rather go to Russia and to China," Duterte said, pointing out that both countries have said they could provide his country with weapons — something the U.S. has refused to do.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Just last month, Obama canceled a meeting with Duterte after the Philippines leader called him a "son of a bitch" over Obama's suggestion they'd discuss human rights. Last week, Duterte compared himself to Adolf Hitler and said he would be "happy to slaughter" the country's "three million drug addicts."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published