As leftist claims victory in Honduran vote, Taiwan may be about to lose another ally to Beijing

Taiwan could be about to lose another diplomatic ally, with Honduran opposition candidate Xiomara Castro – who has indicated she would switch ties to Beijing if elected – claiming victory in Sunday’s presidential vote.

With a strong 20-point lead over her nearest rival, Nasry Asfura from the ruling National Party, and just over half the votes tallied, leftist candidate Castro, from the Liberty and Refoundation Party, declared herself the winner on Monday. The vote count is still under way and official results have not yet been announced.

Castro, 62 – the wife of ousted former president Manuel Zelaya – would become the first female president of Honduras. Among her campaign pledges, Castro said she would “immediately open diplomatic and commercial connections with China” if elected.

Beijing – which claims Taiwan as its territory, to be brought under its control – has been seeking to isolate the self-ruled island on the world stage, including in a tussle over diplomatic allies. Several Central American countries have recently switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing, most recently El Salvador in 2018.

If Castro’s win is confirmed and she does switch allegiance – potentially resulting in more Chinese investment for Honduras – it would leave Taipei with just 14 diplomatic allies. It would also undermine Taiwan’s recent gains, including winning support in Europe for it to take part in international bodies like the World Health Organization – backing that Beijing sees as a violation of its one-China principle.