US recalls top diplomats after three Taipei allies in Latin America switch recognition to Beijing
Envoys in Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Panama summoned by Washington to discuss how US ‘can support strong, independent, democratic institutions’
The United States has signalled its concern over Beijing’s expanding influence in Latin America by recalling its top diplomats from three Central American and Caribbean countries that cut diplomatic ties with Taipei.
It is the first time since Beijing has stepped up efforts to woo Taipei’s allies that Washington has recalled its envoys over the cross-strait diplomatic tussle in its backyard.
The US State Department said on Saturday that Robin Bernstein, the US ambassador to the Dominican Republic; Jean Manes, its ambassador to El Salvador; and Roxanne Cabral, the US chargé d’affaires in Panama, had been recalled “for consultations related to recent decisions to no longer recognise” the self-ruled island.
The diplomats would meet “US government leaders to discuss ways in which the United States can support strong, independent, democratic institutions and economies throughout Central America and the Caribbean”, the department said.
Washington has expressed concerns over Beijing’s pursuit of Taipei’s diplomatic allies since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party became the island’s president in 2016. Taiwan now has 17 allies, down from 22 just over two years ago.
Panama switched recognition to Beijing last year, the Dominican Republic did so in May, and El Salvador followed suit last month, triggering strong warnings from Washington.