Visiting Guatemalan Foreign Minister Mario Búcaro on Monday said his trip was intended to showcase his country’s commitment toward Taiwan amid increased tensions across the Taiwan Strait after a visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi early August.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, Búcaro, who assumed office as the Central American nation’s top diplomat in February, said the two longtime diplomatic allies have shared values of democracy, freedom, and respect for sovereignty.
“It is not a coincidence that this visit occurs during sensitive times in the region, as this visit serves as the strongest example of the commitment of the Republic of Guatemala to continue our support of Taiwan despite any challenge or threat,” he said.
He was referring to Beijing’s elevated military coercion toward Taipei after Pelosi’s 19-hour whirlwind visit to Taiwan from Aug. 2-3, the first such trip by a sitting U.S. House of Representatives speaker since 1997.
In response, Beijing launched an unprecedented set of live-fire military drills in six maritime zones encircling Taiwan from Aug. 4-7. The People’s Liberation Army later extended the drills, with smaller-scale operations concluding on Aug. 10.
China also responded by suspending the imports of some Taiwanese food and agricultural products.
Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified one day, strongly objects to other countries treating Taiwan as a nation, including sending high-ranking officials to visit.
Aside from reiterating Guatemala’s commitment to stick with Taipei diplomatically, Búcaro also thanked Taiwan for showing solidarity with his country during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with offering assistance in other fields such as education, technology, and innovation.
He said he was excited to officially establish a bilateral diplomat training and exchange program during his visit, which will mark “another milestone in our bilateral relations and will serve as a platform to further nourish the diplomatic ties of both countries.”
“To the Taiwanese government and general population, in Guatemala you will always find a supporting friend. May our long-lasting relationship, grounded in common ideals and values, see many more years to come,” he added.
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the ongoing visit marks Búcaro’s first trip to the country, with plans to meet with high-ranking officials including President Tsai Ing-wen (???) and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (???).
Búcaro and his delegation will also visit the Taiwan External Trade Development Council; the National Defense University, where several Guatemalan cadets are studying; and the National Palace Museum, and will head south to Kaohsiung Software Park before concluding their visit and departing Taiwan on Friday, MOFA said.
Búcaro’s visit comes two months after Guatemala’s President Alejandro Giammattei pledged to maintain ties with Taipei, amid increasingly successful efforts by Beijing to poach Taiwan’s few remaining diplomatic allies.
Since May 2016 when Tsai came to office, Taiwan has lost eight diplomatic allies to China, namely Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Kiribati, Nicaragua, Panama, Sao Tome and Principe, and the Solomon Islands.
Half of these former allies are located in Latin America.
The loss of allies is due to deteriorating relations between Taipei and Beijing, which is widely believed to have convinced the countries to switch ties by offering economic benefits. Beijing had refrained from doing so in the past when relations were good.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel
