Taipei, July 5 (CNA) The new Honduran ambassador to Taiwan and Taiwan's new ambassador to Honduras have both arrived in their respective host countries ahead of officially taking office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced Tuesday.
Ambassador Harold Burgos, a former cultural attaché at the Honduran embassy in Taipei, arrived in Taiwan on June 27 and is currently undergoing required quarantine and self-health management measures, Florencia Hsie (謝妙宏), head of MOFA's Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, told at a news briefing.
Hsie said Burgos, a graduate of Taiwan's National Chengchi University, was an astute choice for the ambassadorship, given his deep understanding of Taiwan's politics, economics, and social development.
Hsie added that the ministry was making arrangements for the new ambassador to present his credentials to Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), which would allow Burgos to officially take office.
Burgos replaces Eny Yamileth Bautista Guevara, who departed from the ambassador's post last month.
Meanwhile, MOFA said Taiwan's new Ambassador to Honduras Vivia Chang (張俊菲), had arrived in the Central American country on June 30.
Chang, Taiwan's representative to Portugal since 2019, replaces the Brazil-bound Diego Wen (溫曜禎).
According to Hsie, Chang has already presented a copy of her letter of credentials to the Honduran foreign minister and is waiting to present the original letter to Honduran President Xiomara Castro to officially begin her ambassadorship.
Castro's victory in the Nov. 28 presidential election made her the Central American country's first female president.
The 62-year-old wife of ousted former Honduran President Jose Manuel Zelaya had previously raised concerns over the Central American country's 81-year diplomatic ties with the Republic of China, the official name of Taiwan, after saying during her campaign that she would switch recognition to Beijing.
However, following a meeting with Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) at her inauguration in January, Castro said she hoped to maintain the relationship between Taipei and Honduras.
