Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen visited the archaeological site of Tikal in the extreme north of Guatemala this Saturday, as part of his agenda in the second of three days of visit to the Central American country.
The Taiwanese president traveled to the Tikal National Park in the department (province) of Petén, in the extreme north of the country, accompanied by the president of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei.
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“It is a pride that President Tsai Ing-wen is in this park that was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1979,” declared the vice minister of culture of Guatemala, Jenny Barrios, during an official act.
Activities
During Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to Tikal, a group of Mayan priests performed a spiritual ceremony in front of the temple. “Great Jaguar” built by this civilization in the year 734.
In addition, a series of cultural events were held, including a representation of the “Mayan ball game”a spiritual and warlike ritual practiced by the Mayans since 1400 BC
Tsai Ing-wen, during a bilateral message shared on Friday, described the Central American country as “a solid ally” and assured that his visit will facilitate new cooperation agreements in health, education and other fields.
The visit of the highest Taiwanese authority takes place a few days after Honduras, a neighbor of Guatemala, broke ties with Taiwan, after 80 years of relationship, and began rapprochement with the People’s Republic of China.
Guatemala and Taiwan
Guatemala and Taiwan celebrated 62 years of bilateral relations last November and together with Belize they are the only two Central American countries that maintain contact with the island.
During an official welcoming ceremony on Friday, President Giammattei said friendship with Taiwan is “unwavering” and stressed that for Guatemala the island is the “one and only China”.
On March 30, the People’s Republic of China condemned the United States for allowing the Taiwanese president to stop over in her country for her Central American tour.
China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, which it views as a rogue province since Kuomintang nationalists withdrew there in 1949 after losing the civil war against the communists.
