A United States delegation to the World Health Organisation have been accused of threatening to withdraw military aid and introduce punitive trade measures against Ecuador, after the country presented a motion in support of breastfeeding.
The United States delegation attempted to water down the motion, which advocated for government support, protection and promotion of breastfeeding.
Advocates of the measure sought out another sponsor, but at least another 12 countries, mostly from Latin America and Africa, backed off out of fear of retaliation according to officials from Uruguay, Mexico and the United States.