TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese officials are exploring renewed diplomatic ties with Honduras after the Central American country’s presidential frontrunners, Nasry Asfura and Salvador Nasralla, signaled interest in restoring relations with Taiwan.

AFP reported that both candidates praised Taiwan’s longstanding support while criticizing unfulfilled Chinese promises, including hydroelectric projects and trade deals.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) has described Taiwan’s stance as “proactive and open,” emphasizing mutual economic benefits, including the resumption of shrimp exports to Taiwan.

Taiwan’s formal allies have fallen to 12 due to Beijing’s pressure campaign to isolate the country. An Atlantic Council report underscores how preserving such partnerships bolsters deterrence against Chinese aggression by raising global costs.

Taiwan’s partners, now concentrated in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific islands, have steadily declined in number since President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) took office in 2016 and a period of diplomatic truce with China ended.

The Atlantic Council said Beijing mixes incentives such as loans and infrastructure projects with coercive tools, including tourism curbs in Palau and broken stadium deals in St. Lucia, often prompting regrets in countries. Analysts say the strategy seeks to mute Taiwan internationally while complicating US-led deterrence.

Honduras established diplomatic relations with Beijing on March 26, 2023. Previously, since 1941, Taiwan and Honduras had maintained strong formal diplomatic ties.

Taiwan provided support such as scholarships, agricultural expertise, infrastructure projects including roads and schools, and healthcare initiatives. Honduras, in return, supplied key exports such as coffee, bananas, and shrimp to Taiwan’s markets.