Vice President Lai Ching-te has met with the next president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro. Lai is in Honduras to act as the special representative of President Tsai Ing-wen at Castro’s inauguration ceremony.
Honduras is one of 14 countries that maintain full diplomatic relations with Taiwan. During his meeting with Castro on Thursday, Lai said he hoped that Taiwan and Honduras will strengthen their cooperation in the future.
He also passed on a message from President Tsai Ing-wen, saying that both Tsai and Castro are the first female presidents of their respective countries. Lai told Castro that President Tsai hopes Taiwan and Honduras can continue to improve ties for the benefit of both countries’ peoples.
Castro had campaigned on a promise to sever Honduras’ ties with Taiwan and recognize Beijing instead. However, her incoming administration has backed away from her earlier statements on Taiwan, apparently to avoid damaging Honduras’ relationship with the United States.
After her meeting with Lai, Castro told reporters that the people of Honduras have always been grateful for the support and assistance Taiwan provides to their country. She says that Taiwan and Honduras have cooperated with one another for many years, and that she hopes the two countries will maintain their friendship.