Paraguay's President Defies Beijing — Calls Taiwan Alliance "Built on Freedom"

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A Speech Beijing Did Not Want to Hear

On Thursday, May 7, Paraguayan President Santiago Pena stood before university students in Taipei and delivered a pointed message — not to Taiwan, but to anyone listening in Beijing.

Speaking in English after receiving an honorary doctorate, Pena called the relationship between Paraguay and Taiwan a partnership "built on a solid foundation: democracy, freedom, confidence in institutions, the dignity of hard work." He went on to say that the bilateral relationship "extends far beyond diplomatic formality" and is reflected in "concrete actions, tangible achievements, and real opportunities" for both nations.

It was not the language of a leader preparing to switch sides.

China's Response: "Stand on the Right Side of History"

Hours earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian had urged Pena to do exactly the opposite. Paraguay, Lin said, should "sever so-called diplomatic relations with the Taiwan authorities" and "stand on the right side of history."

Beijing's position — known as the "One China" principle — holds that Taiwan is a province of mainland China, not an independent or separately governed entity. Taiwan's government under President Lai Ching-te firmly rejects that claim.

Neither Pena nor Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim mentioned China in their public remarks at the event.

A Relationship Rooted in History — and Anti-Communism

Paraguay and Taiwan have maintained formal diplomatic relations since 1957, making theirs one of the longest-standing bilateral ties in the region. The relationship was established during the early years of Paraguayan dictator Alfredo Stroessner — a committed anti-communist whose ideological opposition to Beijing was a defining feature of his foreign policy.

That historical context still echoes today. Paraguay remains one of just 12 countries worldwide that formally recognize Taipei — and the only one in South America to do so.

This is Pena's second official visit to Taiwan as president. The trip includes bilateral meetings and the signing of cooperation agreements with President Lai Ching-te.

Washington in the Background

Pena's visit to Taiwan also carries geopolitical weight beyond the island itself. In February, he traveled to Washington to participate in U.S. President Donald Trump's "board of peace" — where Trump publicly praised him as a "young, handsome guy." The relationship between Asunción and Washington remains strong.

Paraguay's continued recognition of Taiwan is widely seen as aligned with U.S. interests in the region, providing Pena's government with informal but meaningful backing as it navigates Beijing's sustained pressure campaign.

The Bigger Picture: Pressure That Won't Ease

As we reported on May 1 — when Pena's Taiwan trip was first announced — China has been systematically working to pull Paraguay away from Taipei. Dozens of Paraguayan lawmakers, journalists, and opposition figures have traveled to China since late 2023. Economic arguments are growing louder at home: Paraguay cannot sell beef or soybeans directly to China because Beijing refuses to trade with countries that recognize Taiwan, costing exporters significant revenue. (See our earlier report: Paraguay Stands Firm: President Pena Heads to Taiwan as China Turns Up the Heat)

The pattern is familiar. Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras have all, at various points, switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing after sustained Chinese pressure and economic incentives. Paraguay is next in Beijing's sights.

For now, Pena's answer to that pressure is clear: a public speech in Taipei, an honorary doctorate, and five words that Beijing will have noted carefully — "democracy, freedom, confidence in institutions."

Whether future Paraguayan governments will hold that line is another question entirely.

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Sources

1. Reuters – "Paraguay president lauds friendship with Taiwan, China tells him to sever ties" (May 7, 2026): https://www.reuters.com/world/china/paraguay-president-lauds-friendship-with-taiwan-china-tells-him-sever-ties-2026-05-07/
2. Reuters – "Taiwan's 12 remaining diplomatic allies" (May 2, 2026): https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwans-12-remaining-diplomatic-allies-2026-05-02/
3. Reuters – "Trump mixes diplomacy, flattery at peace board meeting" (Feb. 19, 2026): https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-mixes-diplomacy-flattery-peace-board-meeting-2026-02-19/
4. Radio Free Asia – Coverage of China's diplomatic outreach in Latin America: https://www.rfa.org/english/china
5. Human Rights Watch – Background on China's influence campaigns in Latin America: https://www.hrw.org/topic/china

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