Honduras Counts Votes and Honduras Back to Taiwan Talk Grows

Intermediate | December 18, 2025

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Honduras Back to Taiwan: Why a Vote Count Is Also a Foreign Policy Story

Honduras has been stuck in an uncomfortable limbo: election day happened, but the country still didn’t have a clear, certified winner for days. While people argued about numbers and fairness at home, a bigger international question started popping up in the background—could Honduras back to Taiwan become the next headline? That’s because two leading opposition candidates have talked openly about restoring ties with Taipei after Honduras switched recognition to Beijing in 2023. (See: Reuters, CNA / Focus Taiwan)

The Quick Backstory: Taiwan, China, and the 2023 Switch

For decades, Honduras recognized Taiwan officially. But in March 2023, the Honduran government cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognized China instead. Taiwan’s diplomats and supporters saw it as part of Beijing’s wider push to shrink Taiwan’s international space—while Honduras hoped for trade and investment benefits. (Background: Wikipedia – Honduras–Taiwan relations)

What’s Happening Now: Razor-Thin Results and Big Claims

As votes were still being counted, reports described a very close race between Salvador Nasralla and Nasry Asfura, with each side watching the numbers like a hawk. Taiwan’s foreign minister said Taiwan has kept communication channels open with both candidates and would be ready to talk “equality and mutual benefit” with the president-elect. That statement is diplomatic—but the meaning is clear: Taiwan sees an opening. (Reuters)

Why Taiwan Might “Win” Even Before a Winner Is Announced

One striking point raised in commentary is that Honduras’ politics may be shifting toward a new consensus: even as parties fight over the count, multiple major opposition forces have signaled openness to restoring ties with Taiwan—framing it less as ideology and more as national interest. Some observers argue that the real “winner” so far could be Taiwan, because the idea of rebuilding Taipei ties has entered mainstream debate again. (Commentary: Taipei Times)

The Business Angle: Promises, Deliverables, and Credibility

Diplomacy often sounds abstract—until it hits jobs and exports. Taiwan’s side argues that Beijing’s big investment promises didn’t fully materialize and that Honduras suffered real economic pain afterward, especially in industries that previously exported heavily to Taiwan (like shrimp). Taiwan’s foreign ministry has pointed to unemployment concerns linked to that shift. Whether every detail is debated or not, the bigger business lesson is simple: countries (like companies) get judged on deliverables, not just announcements. (CNA / Focus Taiwan, analysis: The Diplomat)

What Happens Next: A Possible Diplomatic Reset

If Honduras does move toward restoring official ties, it would be a rare reversal in a region where Beijing has usually been gaining ground. Reuters noted it could become China’s biggest diplomatic setback in the region in decades. But nothing is guaranteed: vote counts, court challenges, and political bargaining can drag on. For now, the smart takeaway is to watch two things: who wins, and what they actually do once in office. (Reuters)

Vocabulary

Certified (adjective) – officially confirmed as correct.
Example: “The results weren’t certified yet, so the uncertainty continued.”
Razor-thin (adjective) – extremely close.
Example: “One candidate held a razor-thin lead.”
Opposition (noun) – political groups not currently in power.
Example: “The opposition criticized how the votes were counted.”
Diplomatic ties (noun phrase) – official government-to-government relations.
Example: “Honduras cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2023.”
Recognition (noun) – formal acceptance of a government as legitimate.
Example: “The country switched recognition from Taiwan to China.”
Re-establish (verb) – to build again after ending.
Example: “They discussed re-establishing ties after the election.”
Mutual benefit (noun phrase) – advantages for both sides.
Example: “Officials said cooperation should be based on mutual benefit.”
Investment (noun) – money put into projects to create growth.
Example: “Leaders promised investment, but people asked where the projects were.”
Setback (noun) – a development that slows progress.
Example: “A reversal would be a setback for China’s influence.”
Deliverables (noun) – real results that can be measured or delivered.
Example: “Voters care about deliverables, not just speeches.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Why can an election vote count affect foreign policy decisions?
What does it mean to “restore” diplomatic ties, in practical terms?
Why do you think Taiwan is paying close attention to this election?
What does the phrase “deliverables, not announcements” mean in this story?
If you were advising a new president, what would you prioritize first: diplomacy, trade, or domestic issues?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Should smaller countries choose partners mainly based on values, money, or long-term results? Why?
What are the risks of changing major foreign policy decisions after an election?
How can citizens tell whether big investment promises are realistic?
Why do you think Taiwan’s number of formal diplomatic allies has been shrinking?
What role should the U.S. or regional organizations play when election results are disputed?

Related Idiom / Phrase

“The ball is in your court” – it’s your turn to make the next decision.

Example: “After the election, the ball is in Honduras’ court on whether it wants to rebuild ties with Taiwan.”

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This article was inspired by: Ketagalan Media (December 11, 2025), with additional reporting from Reuters, CNA / Focus Taiwan, and analysis from Taipei Times and The Diplomat.