Taipei Times
Date: Jan 02, 2018
By: Staff writer, with CNA
Honduras would welcome another visit by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and would arrange a special tour of the Mayan Copan ruins for her, Honduran Ambassador to Taiwan Rafael Fernando Sierra Quesada said.
Tsai was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez on his re-election, symbolizing the nations’ strong ties, despite Beijing’s efforts to lure away Taiwan’s Central American allies, Sierra told media on Thursday.
Tsai on Wednesday delivered her congratulations in a video conference call, sending regards on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan to Hernandez, who was on Dec. 17 declared the winner of his nation’s November elections amid claims of fraud by the opposition.
Panama, one of Taiwan’s olders allies, in 2016 switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, triggering speculation of a domino effect in Latin America and the Caribbean, where 11 of the nation’s remaining 20 diplomatic allies are located. [FULL STORY]