New Honduras leader says she hopes to maintain Taiwan ties

Honduras police officers walk past a poster with an image of Xiomara Castro outside the National stadium, during the preparations of event areas and security ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Honduras' President-elect Xiomara Castro in Tegucigalpa, Honduras January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez

Honduras is grateful for the support Taiwan has provided and hopes to maintain their relationship, President-elect Xiomara Castro said on Wednesday after meeting Taiwan Vice President William Lai, who is in the country to shore up shaky ties.

Honduras is one of only 14 countries with formal diplomatic relations with Chinese-claimed Taiwan. Castro floated the idea of ditching Taipei for Beijing in her election campaign.