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Nicaragua broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan on Thursday in favour of China, citing President Daniel Ortega’s belief that there is only one “legitimate government” defending Chinese interests, according to Foreign Minister Denis Moncada.
“The People’s Republic of China is the only legal government that represents all of China,” Moncada said in a statement, “and Taiwan is an inalienable portion of Chinese territory.”
The storey was confirmed by Chinese official media, but no other information were provided.
Taiwan is claimed by Beijing as part of its territory, awaiting reunification, possibly by force.
China has spent decades effectively persuading Taiwan’s diplomatic friends to change sides, including three Latin American allies in recent years: Panama, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic.
In the past, Taipei and Nicaragua enjoyed cordial relations, collaborating on subjects such as health and agriculture.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, a former Marxist guerilla, announced his desire to develop ties with both China and Taiwan at the same time when he returned to power in 2007, an idea that China would not tolerate.
Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras are Taiwan’s surviving Central American allies. It has relations to a few other nations, notably Haiti and Paraguay.
