Republican U.S. Senator Jim Banks wrote to Honduran President Nasry Asfura, urging him to reconsider the country’s foreign policy and restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan. That came in a Voice of America news report on Wednesday, May 6.

Banks reportedly wrote in the letter that it is of great importance for Honduras to re-examine the issue of diplomatic recognition of Taiwan and return the country to its long-standing pro-Taiwan stance. He wrote this would strengthen solidarity among democratic nations and create important opportunities for expanded economic cooperation and investment. It would also signal to the international community that Honduras is committed to building principled and transparent partnerships.

Honduras switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in March 2023, under President Xiomara Castro. Asfura, who took office in January this year, had expressed the intention to restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan during his presidential campaign.