If the camera has manual settings, set the aperture on as wide an open as possible. That would be f2.8 as compared to f16. Set the shutter speed accordingly based on correct exposure of the scene. Focus on the object closest to the camera and zoom to the telephoto setting of the lens. That might work. If it doesn't, what you're asking for may be beyond the capabilities of the camera.

As Larry said, if you have manual control over the camera, put it on "A" aperture priority and use the fastest possible lens opening, f/2.8 or f/4 depending on the lens. Then use the central rectangle indicating the primary focus position, then place that rectangle over the nearby object you want in focus. Now hold the shutter release partway down which will lock the focus on that subject, now you can recompose the picture but the focus will stay on that point. Since the lens is wide open the nearby object should be sharpest while the background is more out of focus.