Paraguayan President Visits Taiwan, Receives 21-Gun Salute and Military Honors

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña visited Taiwan and was welcomed with a 21-gun salute and full military honors, reaffirming the long-standing diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Fri May 08 2026

Strengthening Taiwan-Paraguay Relations

Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te (at the time of the video) welcomed Paraguayan President Santiago Peña with a 21-gun salute and full military honors at the Presidential Office on Friday. Lai described Taiwan and Paraguay as 'partners committed to upholding the values of democracy, freedom, and human rights,' noting that the two sides have maintained diplomatic ties for nearly 70 years. Peña called Taiwan 'a land of deep emotional significance' and said the military honors demonstrated diplomatic sincerity.

Taiwan's Only South American Diplomatic Ally

This is Peña's first official state visit since becoming president in August 2023. Paraguay is Taiwan's last diplomatic ally in South America and one of only 12 countries worldwide that formally recognize Taipei. This visit is not just ceremonial but also holds significant diplomatic implications across Latin America, as Peña revealed he met with Honduras' new president before flying here and encouraged him to look at Paraguay's partnership with Taiwan. Honduras cut ties with Taipei three years ago, but its new leader campaigned on restoring them, suggesting potential ripple effects across the region.

*Source: YouTube: WION (2026-05-08)*

Tags: #Taiwan #Paraguay #Diplomacy #South America #State Visit