Better off with Taiwan': Honduras joins other Latin American countries rethinking ties with China

"After weeks of technology failures, accusations of fraud and complaints about US President Donald Trump's interference, the outcome of Honduras' 30 November election is yet to be called. But there is a clear winner beyond the Central American nation's borders: Taiwan. Both leading candidates say they will cut diplomatic ties with Beijing and re-establish relations with Taipei, reversing the March 2023 decision by the then president, Xiomara Castro, to sensationally end Honduras' 82-year relationship with Taiwan."

"At the time, Honduras was the ninth of 10 countries to sever ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing in the last decade, amid an intensifying pressure campaign by the Chinese government to isolate Taiwan and delegitimise its sovereignty, and boost Beijing's claim that it's a part of China. But they seem to be having regrets. For Honduras there has been absolutely no benefit from [the relationship with China], says Salvador Nasralla, the Liberal party's candidate."

After contested vote-counting, Honduras' election remains uncalled but both leading candidates promise to cut diplomatic ties with Beijing and re-establish relations with Taipei. The move would reverse President Xiomara Castro's March 2023 decision to end an 82-year relationship with Taiwan. Honduras was one of many countries that shifted recognition to Beijing amid intense Chinese pressure to isolate Taiwan and challenge its sovereignty. Candidates and commentators say the relationship with China brought no clear benefits to Honduras, and both opponents claim the country was far better off with Taiwan. Taipei now retains only 12 diplomatic allies worldwide.

Read at www.theguardian.com