Speaking at the U.N., Correa says the world’s developed countries should put people before commerce and open borders to immigrants

In a speech before the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, Ecuador President Rafael Correa criticized the world’s wealthy nations for spending too much time worrying about the politics of developing countries and not enough looking at their own development models, which emphasize money over people.

Correa speaking Saturday at the United Nations.

“On the one hand, they want the free movement of goods and capital around the world but, on the other hand, they don’t want the free movement of people,” he said. “This is the immoral paradox.”

He added that the immigration policies of the developed countries are “shameful.”

Correa outlined the social advances in Ecuador during his tenure as president, saying that Ecuador is a world leader in reducing poverty and improving social services, including education, family assistance, and health care.

“Our commitment is to the development of human capital as well as commerce, but people must come first,” Correa said. “We are proud of the goals we have achieved in making lives better for our people. We urge all countries of the world to think about people first.”