The Central American Parliament (Parlacen) convened in the capital city of Nicaragua, Managua, on Monday (21/8/2023). Photo/Facebook/Parlacen
GUATEMALA – The Central American Parliament (Parlacen) decided to expel Taiwan as a permanent observer it had held since 1999 and replace it with China.
The agency argued Taiwan’s lack of sovereignty under international law.
Parlacen consists of Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and the Dominican Republic. This decision was taken at a meeting of the agency in the capital of Nicaragua, Managua, on Monday (21/8/2023).
A group of Nicaraguan legislators proposed the motion, arguing Taiwan’s observer status was “unlawful” because Taipei “does not have recognition as a sovereign state by the United Nations.”
The lawmakers also noted the UN “considers Taiwan as a province on the Chinese mainland.” Of the six members of the Parlacen, only Guatemala currently maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry has described the vote to expel the island as a Chinese “conspiracy” to pressure Taipei.
The ministry said Taiwan would withdraw from Parlacen “immediately in order to uphold national dignity.”
The ministry reiterated the government’s position that neither Taiwan nor China are “subordinate to each other.”
2023-08-23 14:19:55
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