TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Thursday thanked Guatemala and the US for supporting relations with Taiwan after the two countries met in the Central American nation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo in Guatemala City on Wednesday, pledging to help Guatemala maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Rubio said, “It’s not easy in a world where there is a lot of pressure to change that recognition and to break those ties.” 

Becoming president in January 2024, Arevalo reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining ties with Taiwan. He said he hopes to develop the relationship “in terms of economics and investment.”

Rubio said the US would encourage Taiwan to invest more in Guatemala’s economy. He said the US would help bilateral ties between Taiwan and Guatemala go “beyond just the diplomatic realm to an economic one.”

Lai on social media thanked Arevalo and Rubio for supporting the Taiwan-Guatemala-US relationship. He said their “continued joint efforts to bolster trade and investment pave the way for greater prosperity and stronger economic ties.” 

Guatemala is one of Taiwan’s 11 diplomatic allies. China’s foreign ministry in October claimed a growing number of Guatemalans believe that switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China is in the best interests of the country’s people.