TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has become a sharp issue in Honduras’ presidential race as two major opposition contenders pledge to reverse the Castro administration’s diplomatic switch to China, Nikkei Asia reported Thursday.

The Nov. 30 general election will choose a new president, a single-chamber legislature, nearly 300 mayors, and more than 2,000 local council members. Honduras elects its president to a four-year term, and incumbent Xiomara Castro is not on the ballot.

The three-way presidential contest features Rixi Moncada of the ruling Liberty and Refoundation Party, former Tegucigalpa Mayor Nasry Asfura of the National Party, and media personality–turned-politician Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party. With no runoff system, whoever gets the most votes wins.

Taiwan–China policy has become one of the clearest ideological divides, as Moncada favors deepening relations with Beijing, while both opposition candidates call for reopening diplomatic ties with Taipei. Honduras’ switch in 2023 followed similar moves by Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Nicaragua since 2017.

Since establishing relations with Honduras, China has pledged nearly NT$9.35 billion (US$300 million) for schools and secured major contracts in telecommunications and power generation. However, expectations of booming exports have not materialized, fueling domestic criticism of the shift and growing skepticism toward Beijing.

Shrimp producers have been among the hardest hit, as Taiwan once bought 40% of Honduras’ output, generating more than NT$3.11 billion annually before the break. Exports have since plunged by nearly 70%, forcing around 60 companies to shut down and eliminating an estimated 14,000 jobs.

Meanwhile, concerns over election integrity intensified after Honduran military leaders said they would request tally sheets to conduct a parallel vote count. This move is supported by Castro but condemned by Organization of American States observers, who warn it could undermine transparency in a contentious race.