Taiwan keeps close watch on Guatemala presidential run-off, after losing Honduras to Beijing in March

Guatemala is among Taiwan’s 13 remaining allies and one of only two in Central America after Honduras cut ties

Centre-left candidate Bernardo Arevalo, who will be facing former first lady Sandra Torres in the August 20 run-off, has promised closer ties with Beijing

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Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Guatemalan counterpart Alejandro Giammattei greet the crowds in Guatemala City in March. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:00pm, 6 Jul 2023Updated: 11:39pm, 6 Jul 2023

Taiwan is keeping a wary eye on the upcoming presidential run-off in Guatemala, after losing Honduras – another long-time Central American ally – to Beijing some three months ago.

Guatemala is among a handful of countries that still maintain diplomatic ties with Taipei, in a relationship going back decades. But a victory for the pro-Beijing hopeful might well change that.

Presidential elections were held in Guatemala on June 25. However, none of the 22 candidates managed to cross the 50 per cent mark and the top two finishers will be facing off again next month.

One of them is pro-Beijing former diplomat Bernardo Arevalo of the centre-left Semilla party, who fought on an anti-corruption platform to finish a surprise second, with nearly 12 per cent of the vote.

Contesting him will be Sandra Torres of the social-democratic National Unity of Hope. The veteran politician and former first lady, who finished first with 16 per cent of the vote, has vowed to carry on with incumbent President Alejandro Giammattei’s policy of formal relations with Taiwan.

Bernardo Arevalo says Guatemala needs to adopt “a foreign policy based on its own interests”. Photo: Reuters

Torres, who has faced corruption allegations herself, was among three establishment figures seen as front runners in last month’s race.

Taiwan keeps close watch on Guatemala presidential run-off, after losing Honduras to Beijing in March

Guatemala is among Taiwan’s 13 remaining allies and one of only two in Central America after Honduras cut ties Centre-left candidate Bernardo Arevalo, who will be facing former first lady Sandra Torres in the August 20 run-off, has promised closer ties with Beijing

Guatemala is among Taiwan’s 13 remaining allies and one of only two in Central America after Honduras cut ties

Centre-left candidate Bernardo Arevalo, who will be facing former first lady Sandra Torres in the August 20 run-off, has promised closer ties with Beijing