Paraguay President Visits Taiwan, Reaffirms Diplomatic Ties Despite China Pressure

Taiwan welcomed Paraguayan President Santiago Peña on Thursday during his first official visit to the self-ruled island, as Beijing continues efforts to isolate Taipei diplomatically.

Paraguay remains the only South American nation and one of just 12 countries worldwide that officially recognize Taiwan instead of China. Other countries maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan include Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Eswatini, Marshall Islands, Palau, Tuvalu, and Vatican City .

Peña arrived with a business delegation representing sectors such as agriculture and finance for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening economic and diplomatic cooperation. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said President Lai Ching-te will formally welcome Peña with military honors on Friday.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has intensified military and diplomatic pressure on the island in recent years. Beijing has regularly deployed warplanes and naval vessels near Taiwan and has sought to persuade Taipei’s remaining allies to switch recognition to China under its “One China” principle.

Despite maintaining strong trade relations with China, Paraguay has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Taiwan.

The visit comes shortly after Lai traveled to Eswatini , Taiwan’s only diplomatic partner in Africa. Reports said several countries denied permission for Lai’s aircraft to transit through their territories due to pressure from Beijing, though China neither confirmed nor denied the claims.

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949 after the Chinese civil war ended with the Communist Party taking power in Beijing, while Nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan.