Paraguay Stands Firm with Taiwan: Defying Regional Pressure and China's Influence
Paraguay Reaffirms Commitment to Taiwan Amid Regional Pressure
Paraguay’s Foreign Minister Ruben Dario Ramirez Lezcano reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Taiwan during a recent visit, maintaining Paraguay’s status as the only South American nation recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign state. Despite strong trade ties with China, Paraguay has indicated no plans to sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
In a statement, Ramirez Lezcano emphasized Paraguay’s openness to establishing relations with China, but not at the expense of its ties with Taiwan. The foreign minister stressed that this stance is an independent decision, not influenced by U.S. pressure. President Santiago Peña has also expressed support for maintaining relations with Taiwan.
China’s growing influence in South America, with trade reaching $500 billion in 2023, has put pressure on regional diplomatic alignments. Beijing’s strategy typically requires allies to recognize its claim over Taiwan, a policy that has led to a decrease in Taiwan’s diplomatic allies globally.
During his visit, Ramirez Lezcano met with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, reinforcing strong bilateral ties. The two nations signed a reciprocal visa-free agreement to facilitate citizen travel and discussed investment opportunities and market diversification for Paraguayan agricultural products.
As Taiwan faces diplomatic challenges, Paraguay aims to strengthen its relations with the United States, anticipating collaboration with U.S. Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio. This move comes as Paraguay seeks to diversify its international partnerships while maintaining its unique position in South American diplomacy.
