Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has postponed a high-profile diplomatic trip to Central and South America, originally planned for next month, as his government shifts focus to managing the aftermath of recent natural disasters at home.
Officials from Taiwan's embassies in Guatemala and Paraguay confirmed on Tuesday that the trip has been delayed indefinitely, citing the devastating impact of Typhoon Danas and ongoing torrential rains that continue to batter the island. "There is no new date to reschedule the visit," said an official in Guatemala City, noting the severity of the storm's damage.
President Lai’s planned itinerary had included stops in Guatemala, Paraguay, Belize, and the United States—part of a broader diplomatic effort to reinforce Taiwan’s dwindling number of allies in Latin America. In recent years, several countries in the region have switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and fiercely opposes any moves that suggest official recognition of the island.
The delay also affects planned U.S. stopovers, which reportedly included New York, Dallas, and potentially Texas. These transits are traditionally low-key but diplomatically sensitive, often drawing harsh criticism from Beijing. One source familiar with the planning said the trip is not canceled, just postponed until later this year.
Interestingly, the delay comes just as diplomatic tensions intensify. Paraguayan Congressman Hugo Meza publicly criticized his country’s continued relationship with Taiwan on Tuesday, calling it a waste of time. Paraguay remains the last South American nation to recognize Taiwan.
In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce clarified that no official travel plans had been confirmed, calling the issue “hypothetical.” She reiterated that transits by Taiwanese leaders are consistent with long-standing U.S. policy and have not changed.
Back in Taiwan, the government remains focused on disaster response. Typhoon Danas, which struck earlier this month, brought record winds and damaged parts of the power grid and housing infrastructure. More recent heavy rainfall has caused significant flooding across southern Taiwan, with officials warning that further landslides are possible as the extreme weather continues.
For now, diplomacy takes a back seat as Taiwan deals with the challenges of recovery at home.
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