nFollowing Nicaragua’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the United States urged all democratic countries to strengthen their ties with Taipei. The US State Department said on Thursday that “all countries that value democratic institutions” should “expand their engagement with Taiwan.” Decision of the President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega, “does not even reflect the will of the Nicaraguan people”.

According to the US State Department, the recent presidential election in the Central American country, in which Ortega won a fourth term, was a “hoax”. The ministry said that with the decision to see Beijing as China’s sole and legal representative instead of Taipei, Nicaragua is losing “a credible partner for its democratic and economic development”.

In the months leading up to the election in early November, Nicaraguan authorities arrested about 40 opposition members. Among them were some potential challengers to the president, which ensured the power of Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, the vice president. After this Washington increased the pressure on the country.

only 14 countries left

Nicaragua’s Foreign Minister Denis Moncada on Thursday justified his country’s move as follows: “The People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory”.

Nicaragua’s ruler Ortega’s decision is a breakthrough for Beijing, which views Taiwan as a separate province and has been working towards international isolation of the government in Taipei for decades. In Latin America, other countries had already switched sides in recent years and reoriented themselves to Beijing: El Salvador, Panama and the Dominican Republic. After Nicaragua changed sides, Taiwan is only recognized diplomatically by 14 countries. Beijing aims to reconnect the island to the mainland.