Presidential Office congratulates Xiomara Castro on election as Honduran president
The Republic of Honduras held presidential elections on November 28, with Xiomara Castro, candidate of the Libre party (Partido Libertad y Refundación, LIBRE), elected as the country's next president. Presidential Office Spokesperson Xavier Chang (張惇涵) said on December 1 that President Tsai Ing-wen offers her sincere congratulations on behalf of Taiwan's people and government to President-elect Castro on her election victory, and looks forward to smooth policy implementation, robust national development, greater prosperity, and the continued deepening of Taiwan-Honduras relations under the incoming Castro administration.
Spokesperson Chang pointed out that the Honduran electoral council's vote count as of 6 p.m. local time on November 30 showed Castro in the lead, and noted that National Party (Partido Nacional) candidate Nasry Asfura conceded defeat that same day, offering his congratulations to President-elect Castro.
Spokesperson Chang said that the Presidential Office sincerely congratulates Honduras, Taiwan's diplomatic ally, on a smoothly run election, and said that Ambassador to Honduras Diego Wen (溫曜禎) had earlier conveyed his best wishes to President-elect Castro immediately after her victory on behalf of President Tsai and the people and government of Taiwan.
Spokesperson Chang stated that Honduras is an important Central American ally of Taiwan, and pointed out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Republic of Honduras. Over the years, our two countries have cooperated closely in trade, public health, education, social welfare, infrastructure, women's empowerment, and the agriculture and fishing industries, with impressive results. Taiwan looks forward to building upon the firm foundation of our friendship with Honduras by working with the Castro administration to further strengthen our bilateral partnership, improve the well-being of our peoples, and promote the prosperity and development of our nations.