Honduras’ new president is reviewing his predecessor’s agreements with China, a process that could help the US push to reduce the Asian nation’s influence in the region and lead to recognition of Taiwan.
Before Honduras can make a “final decision” on its relationships in Asia, the government needs to look over commitments and accords signed by predecessor Xiomara Castro’s administration, which recognized China over Taiwan in 2023, Honduran President Nasry Asfura said in an interview on Wednesday.
Telecommunications equipment from Chinese firm Huawei Technologies Co is part of the review, and Honduras is in talks with the US government on using technology from Cisco Systems Inc, he said.
Photo: EPA
The government wants communications equipment with the latest anti-fraud and anti-terrorism systems, and sees its friendly relations with the US as “very interesting in the analysis of those technologies,” he added.
During last year’s campaign, Asfura said Honduras needed to break diplomatic relations with Beijing and recognize Taiwan, because the country received more in aid and trade when the country had formal ties with Taipei.
Asfura, who took office in January, received US President Donald Trump’s endorsement ahead of last year’s vote and was invited to the US president’s Shield of the Americas summit in March alongside other Latin American presidents, including El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele and Argentina’s Javier Milei.
“We are seeking to strengthen the best possible relationship with ally countries that is most beneficial for Honduras,” Asfura said in an interview at the Milken Institute Global Conference in California. “As president, it is my duty to seek out ally countries where we can have greater trade and investment.”
The Chinese embassy in Honduras and representatives of Huawei did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Trump administration has pressured governments throughout Latin America to reconsider their relationships with its rival superpower in Asia.
US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent has said Milei is “committed to getting China out of Argentina,” and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused officials in Chile of undermining regional security by pursuing a deal for an undersea cable to connect with China.
Trump has also pushed to reduce Chinese business interests around the Panama Canal, while US troops are conducting joint exercises with Panamanian forces.
Last year, the US embassy in Panama announced it would replace Huawei equipment at 13 sites across the country “to counter the malign influence of China throughout our hemisphere.”
Huawei has pushed back for years against US allegations that its telecommunications products pose security risks.
China has worked to persuade countries around the world to drop their recognition of Taiwan. Taipei was recognized by several countries in Central America until the past decade, when Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras switched to Beijing, leaving Guatemala and Belize alone in the region with ties to Taiwan.
Asfura, known locally as “Papi,” said US companies, especially in the textile and manufacturing industries, had considered closing in Honduras last year.
Since he took office, they have decided to invest as much as US$600 million to maintain and expand operations in Honduras, because they see an improving business climate, he said.
His government is seeking greater investment in those industries while working alongside the US government to fight crime, especially drug trafficking, he added.
As part of his promise to make Honduras more investor-friendly, he rejoined the World Bank’s dispute settlement convention after the previous administration withdrew from it.
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