Honduras China relations: After years of weathering US interference, Honduras has finally taken a stand. Honduras has delivered a diplomatic blow to U.S. by cutting ties with Taiwan to begin relations with China.
Xiomara Castro, the recently elected President of Honduras, has made it clear that she will no longer stand for US imperialism in her country. This bold move could be the beginning of a new era of Latin American solidarity and resistance against US interference.
Xiomara Castro, the president of Honduras, has instructed her foreign minister to start official relations with China. The move will end the nation’s ties with Taiwan and further isolate the small island on the international stage.
This move would also mean that Taiwan would only have diplomatic ties with 13 countries left. This is because China does not permit any kind of official relationship with Taiwan if it already has diplomatic ties with that country.
Castro tweeted about her decision to cut ties with Taiwan and begin relations with China, which she had first proposed during her campaign. The tweet stated that this move was a demonstration of her dedication to achieving the goals of the government and broadening boundaries.
He instruido al Canciller Eduardo Reina, para que gestione la apertura de relaciones oficiales con la República Popular China, como muestra de mi determinación para cumplir el Plan de Gobierno y expandir las fronteras con libertad en el concierto de las naciones del mundo.
— Xiomara Castro de Zelaya (@XiomaraCastroZ) March 14, 2023
Honduras and Taiwan have had a long-standing relationship since 1941. Despite Beijing’s push for influence in Central America and the Caribbean, Taiwan has managed to keep a small handful of mostly island nations as diplomatic allies, using aid and investment programs to maintain these relationships.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry expressed serious apprehension concerning the Honduran government’s declaration made by Castro. Taiwan requested that they take into account the long-term relationship between the two countries and be cautious ‘not fall into China’s trap’.
This statement was made weeks after the Taiwanese government declared it was in the process of negotiating with China for the construction of the Patuca II hydroelectric dam.
Latin America as a battleground
Latin America has been a battleground between China and Taiwan. Washington-aligned Central American countries have been connected with Taiwan for many years.
However, in the past five years, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic have all shifted their allegiance away from Taiwan towards China. Moreover, Beijing has also attempted to reduce Taipei’s presence in the international community by hindering its admittance to global organisations and tempting its allies with offers of financial support and more beneficial trading ties.
However, with Honduras’ shift to Beijing, the only countries that still have formal relations with Taipei are Guatemala and Paraguay. Mario Abdo Benítez, the outgoing president, has asked Taiwan to provide $1 billion to help Paraguay withstand the “massive” force to change diplomatic ties with China. Paraguay’s opposition is already stating that they will switch ties to Beijing if they win the April election.
China has been denounced for allegedly using bribes to achieve its foreign policy goals. Last week, the former President of Micronesia, David Panuelo, charged China with “political warfare” in its efforts to stop the Pacific nation from switching its ties from Beijing to Taipei.
This comes before Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s planned journey to Central America next month where she is expected to visit Guatemala and Belize. The visit will also include a transit to the US to meet the House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, which will likely invite the wrath of China.
Long time coming
Honduras’ step doesn’t come as a surprise. In January 2022, Xiomara Castro became the first woman President of Honduras. From then on, she has been working to reverse neoliberal policies, corruption, and drug trafficking, as well as opposing US corporate and security interests.
Despite Vice President Kamala Harris attending Castro’s inauguration and the US initially approving of the new President, US’s support began to wane.
ALSO READ: Xiomara Castro: A year of defying US control in Honduras
US imperialism in Latin America is a current reality and Honduras has been subject to relentless US intervention for years. The US has sought to entrench a pro-American, conservative ruling group in the country. It has been involved in military coups, supported a de-facto government, and trained the country’s police and military.
In response to Castro’s attempts to implement reforms to the energy and labor sector and eliminate the ZEDEs i.e, (Zone for Employment and Economic Development), the US has attempted to dissuade or undermine these changes. The continuous intervention even made the German embassy criticize the US for interfering in Honduras.
So, it is clear that the relentless interference of the US has pissed Honduras off. It was looking for other countries to step in and China has found an opportunity in this adversity. After all, the enemy’s enemy is a friend. Now, China relations can help thwart US intervention in Honduras. The US may continue to try to exert influence over Honduras, but Castro knows the game. As of now, she has everything under control.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boWw7lYtxrQ