Will Nicaragua be next to break ties with Taiwan?
As Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen begins four-nation visit to Central America, doubts linger on strength of relations with Managua
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s mission to cement ties with Taipei’s shrinking number of allies during her trip to Central America may end in embarrassment for the self-ruled island, political pundits say.
Although officials in Taipei said Tsai’s diplomatic trip is crucial as Beijing squeezes Taiwan’s presence in international affairs, uncertainties linger as to whether Tsai can retain the backup of the four nations she will visit, particularly Nicaragua.
Tsai’s visit will take her to Honduras via the US city of Houston on Monday, Nicaragua on Tuesday, Guatemala late on Wednesday and El Salvador early on Friday, before returning to Taiwan on Saturday by way of San Francisco.
Concerns are rising in Taipei, however, that Nicaragua could be the next ally after small West African state Sao Tome and Principe to ditch Taipei for Beijing.
A day after Sao Tome and Principle broke ties with Taiwan on December 20, Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister Javier Hou said during a legislative session that another alliance, which he declined to name, could be at risk.
Although Hou said it would not affect Tsai’s visit, Taiwanese media reported that officials had difficulties sorting out details with their Nicaraguan counterparts for her trip, which fueled speculation over the strength of the bilateral ties. The itinerary released by Taiwan’s presidential office said Tsai would meet with the heads of state in three of the four host countries, but not her Nicaraguan counterpart Daniel Ortega.