Central America celebrates independence

The reception was jointly hosted by Marlene Villela-Talbott, ambassador of Honduras; Juan Marcos Garcia, ambassador of Nicaragua; Francisco Ricardo Santana, ambassador of El Salvador; Francisco Bermudez, ambassador of Guatemala; and James C.F. Huang, Foreign Affairs Minister of Taiwan.

About 100 international and local leaders from all walks of life attended the event, including Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng; Jacques Sawadogo, Burkina Faso ambassador who doubles as dean of the diplomatic corps; Sang Sik Oh, representative of the Korean Mission in Taipei; and John Nixon, CEO of the Taipei European School.

Speaking on behalf of the four honorees, Bermudez pointed out that Central America represents a great opportunity as a global logistics platform thanks to its strategic location in the heart of the Americas and its borders with the largest market in the world to its north as well as with both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Central America together with the Spanish-speaking Caribbean countries represents an “economic niche” that will grow to nearly 80 million inhabitants by the middle of this century, continued Bermudez, who is also president of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in Taiwan.

According to Bermudez, Central America is “one of the most paradisiacal areas for tourism,” marked by ancient cultures such as the Mayas, as well as other attractions in terms of ecotourism, adventure travel, and medical tourism.

“I would like to respectfully express our solidarity as fraternal countries and join in the efforts of ... the government of Taiwan in its free-state practices and in its proposal to demonstrate its rightful place among the nations of the world,” he remarked.

“On behalf of our countries and our peoples, I thank Taiwan’s displays of solidarity, cooperation, and ... for its understanding of the integral development process which we aspire to, and of which this noble island is a clear example to follow,” said the ambassador.

Returning the gesture by the top Guatemalan official in Taiwan, Huang expressed to the ambassadors his “deepest appreciation” and his hope to deepen exchanges and cooperation with their nations.

In honor of the occasion, Huang said “Happy birthday Central America!” in Spanish to congratulate the four diplomatic allies of Taiwan on the eve of their independence day.

El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua declared independence from Spain on Sept 15, 1821 and were part of the United Provinces of Central America from 1823 until 1840. “On behalf of the government of the Republic of China, Taiwan, I offer my most since congratulations to the governments and peoples represented by the four ambassadors,” said Huang.

“The Central American allies have been always our most important international partners,” said Huang. “Despite the great distance that separates us, our fraternal links have overcome all the barriers and geographic borders.”

“For years, based on our common ideal of independence and sovereignty and the same ... principles of freedom, democracy, and ... human rights, we have actively increased exchanges that constitute the essence of the deep fraternal links between Taiwan and its friends in Central America,” he observed.

Huang described this year as a year of “intense exchanges” between Taiwan and its Central American allies, with several visits paid by top Taiwanese government officials, including President Chen Shui-bian, Vice President Annette Lu, and himself. Through these visits, Huang said it was evident that several social and economic infrastructure works have spread gradually, while national economies continue to flourish day after day.

“In this sense it is reason for honor and satisfaction to see that Taiwan, as an active member of the global community, has been able to work alongside your peoples and governments on the path toward progress,” added Huang.

“Despite all the obstacles and challenges in the course of these 186 years, ... your countries have overcome these obstacles with unmatched perseverance and tenacity which is worth our admiration,” noted the minister.

“Since their independence, the Central American brothers have displayed an austere, hard-working, optimistic, and pioneering spirit,” he continued.

Huang concluded with an enthusiastic “Viva la amistad entre Taiwan y la gran familia Centro Americana (Long-live the friendship between Taiwan and the great Central American family)!”

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