No invite for Taiwan to Honduras presidential inauguration: MOFA

Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) Taiwan's government has not received an invitation to participate in the inauguration ceremony of Honduras' president-elect Nasry Asfura, even though, according to reports, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) had indicated a desire to attend.

Asfura pledged during the presidential campaign to restore ties with Taipei after taking office, raising hopes that Taiwan might have a presence at his inauguration scheduled to be held on Jan. 27.

But Lu Chao-jui (盧朝睿), deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MOFA) Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, said Tuesday that Taiwan has not received an invitation and that it was because it does not have official diplomatic ties with Honduras.

Lu would not say, however, if Taiwan had asked the incoming Asfura administration for an invitation.

The MOFA official made the remarks when asked to comment on whether the ministry has been in talks with Asfura's camp about restoring bilateral ties and the possibility of participating in his inauguration later this month.

A Wall Street Journal report on Jan. 13 quoted unnamed sources as saying that Lai had indicated a desire to attend Asfura's inauguration.

The report suggested that Lai was weighing a trip to Honduras, with Beijing reportedly watching whether the United States would allow him to transit.

The Presidential Office later replied by labeling the report as "pure speculation," adding that any official overseas travel of Taiwan's leaders would be announced publicly at the appropriate time.

Honduras' National Electoral Council declared Asfura the winner on Dec. 24 in his second bid for the presidency.

According to the council's final data, Asfura secured 40.3 percent of the vote in a tight race against Salvador Nasralla of the center-right Liberal Party, who garnered 39.5 percent.

Rixi Moncada of the ruling Libre party finished a distant third.

During the campaign, both Asfura and Nasralla pledged to restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Ties were severed in 2023 by sitting President Xiomara Castro in favor of the People's Republic of China, ending an 82-year alliance.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Lu reiterated the government's stance on possibly restoring ties with Honduras.

MOFA maintains "an open attitude" and would "set no preconditions" to engaging in friendly exchanges with Honduras, he said.

"We take every opportunity for exchanges seriously as long as doing so can expand Taiwan's international status and could help Taiwan better contribute to the international community," Lu said during a regular MOFA briefing.