Guatemala's President Alejandro Giammattei affirmed his country's strong ties with Taiwan despite neighboring Honduras recently cutting ties with the Asian island in favor of China. During Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to Guatemala, Giammattei stated that the two countries are strategic partners and that their ties are unbreakable. He also emphasized that Guatemala promotes dispute resolution through dialogue and negotiation, and that they work together to satisfy people's desire for freedom, prosperity, development, and territorial integrity. Guatemala has been an ally of Taiwan for over six decades, and now only 13 countries have full diplomatic relations with Taiwan after Honduras recognized China last month.
During a joint press conference in Guatemala City on Friday, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei emphasized their countries’ strong ties and shared commitment to dialogue and negotiation in resolving disputes. President Giammattei affirmed that the ties between Taiwan and Guatemala are unbreakable, calling Taiwan the only and real China to his country. President Tsai also praised Guatemala’s support for Taiwan’s international participation and its standing up for Taiwan against China’s military drills.
President Tsai is now headed to Belize and will visit Los Angeles next week, where she will meet House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The Biden administration is reportedly downplaying the significance of her visit to avoid worsening the already strained US-China relationship.