Trending Now - Paraguay Strengthens Alliance With Taiwan Amid Chinese Pressure

WHO:

ABC News - Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña

AP News - Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te

AP News - Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian

AP News - Honduran President Nasry Asfura

AP News - U.S. President Donald Trump

WHAT:

ABC News - Paraguay reaffirmed its ties with Taiwan after China urged it to sever diplomatic relations.

AP News - Peña stated that Paraguay "deeply values its ties with Taiwan" and emphasized the importance of democracy, freedom, and human rights.

ABC News - Peña called on the international community to recognize Taiwan's right to make its own decisions.

AP News - Agreements were signed between Taiwan and Paraguay, including a memorandum of understanding regarding artificial intelligence computing center investment.

WHERE:

ABC News - The event took place at Taiwan's presidential office.

AP News - Paraguay is the only country in South America that recognizes Taiwan.

WHEN:

ABC News - The reaffirmation of ties occurred after a request from China on a Thursday.

AP News - Peña is on a four-day trip to Taiwan.

WHY:

ABC News - China has ramped up efforts to lure Taiwan's diplomatic allies and increase military pressure around the island.

AP News - Lin Jian urged Paraguay to "come to the right side of the history" and sever ties with Taiwan, citing the one-China principle.

HOW:

ABC News - Peña expressed solidarity with Taiwan during a military honors event, symbolizing the determination to deepen ties.

AP News - Peña met with Asfura to discuss Honduras' relationship with Taiwan, although they did not directly discuss reestablishing ties.

(UPDATED May 9, 2026 01:31 UTC)

Paraguay's President Santiago Peña has reaffirmed his country's ties with Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of democracy, freedom, and human rights during a recent visit to Taiwan's presidential office. He called on the international community to recognize Taiwan's right to make its own decisions, while agreements were signed, including a memorandum of understanding for investment in an artificial intelligence computing center. This reaffirmation comes as China has increased its efforts to persuade Taiwan's diplomatic allies to sever ties, with Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urging Paraguay to align with the one-China principle.