Taiwan leader, Paraguay president-elect reaffirm ties in phone call

The National Times - Taiwan leader, Paraguay president-elect reaffirm ties in phone call

Taiwan leader, Paraguay president-elect reaffirm ties in phone call / Photo: © AFP

Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen made a congratulatory telephone call to Paraguayan president-elect Santiago Pena on Friday as they reaffirmed relations between the island and its only diplomatic ally in South America, her office said.

Change text size:

Economist and former finance minister Pena had vowed to continue recognising Taiwan, and his win erased Taipei's fear that Paraguay would ditch ties with the self-ruled island in favour of Beijing.

His challenger Efrain Alegre had mooted a shift in allegiance to China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and pushes to isolate it internationally.

During their 20-minute telephone call, Tsai congratulated Pena and thanked him for "expressing his firm stance to maintain and strengthen the Taiwan-Paraguay relations", her office said in a statement.

Pena told Tsai he looks forward to visiting Taiwan and meeting her "as soon as possible", and hopes the two allies can "continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation", her office said.

"I look forward to working with you to advance our bilateral cooperation & the well-being of our peoples," Tsai tweeted after the call.

Paraguay is one of Taiwan's few remaining allies in Latin America and the only one in South America -- after Panama, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras switched allegiance to China in recent years.

Latin America has been a key diplomatic battleground for China and Taiwan since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.

Beijing has spent decades convincing Taipei's diplomatic allies to switch sides, gaining nine since Tsai took office in 2016.

Honduras made the latest switch to Beijing in March, leaving only 13 countries that diplomatically recognise Taipei.

G.Waters--TNT

ANC’s Renewal Rhetoric Fades as Voters Reject Party in 2026 Local Elections

After nearly twenty years of official pledges to reverse internal decay and restore public trust, the African National Congress (ANC) faces a stark reality check following the 2026 local government elections. The results indicate that South African voters no longer believe in the party's capacity for renewal, marking a significant shift from the era when the ANC maintained overwhelming electoral support despite early warnings of structural crisis.

Cuban Diplomat Warns U.S. Blockade Is Severing People-to-People Ties

Cuban diplomat Gabriela Castillo warns that escalating U.S. sanctions are severing vital human connections between the two nations, particularly affecting academic exchanges and longstanding solidarity with African American communities. She argues that political coercion is inflicting collective punishment on Cuban civilians while erasing opportunities for mutual understanding.

Home Affairs Deploys AI to Clear Asylum Backlog Amid Staffing Crisis

The South African Department of Home Affairs has launched a new digital platform utilizing artificial intelligence and biometric technology to overhaul the country’s asylum process. The initiative aims to resolve a severe operational bottleneck, as only nine officials were managing thousands of outstanding appeals at the start of the current administration. Officials warn that registering an intention to apply does not grant automatic protection against immigration enforcement.

Ian Borg Honoured by Palestinian and Arab League Ambassadors for Palestine Support

Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg has been presented with a commemorative plaque by the ambassadors of Palestine and the Arab League to Malta. The honour recognizes his support for Arab causes during his tenure as Foreign Minister, particularly regarding Malta’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine.