China sanctions ministers from Paraguay and Belize over Taiwan ties
Luis Cabral ·
China sanctioned cabinet ministers from Paraguay and Belize on Monday over their ties with Taiwan, Nikkei Asia reports. The move escalates Beijing's campaign to isolate Taipei diplomatically and pressures two of Taiwan's remaining Latin American partners. It also risks fresh friction with Washington and could ripple through regional politics.
Nikkei Asia said the sanctions target senior officials, citing Chinese authorities, though specific measures were not immediately detailed. Paraguay is Taiwan's only South American ally, while Belize is among a small group of Central American states maintaining formal ties with Taipei.
The penalties follow recent switches to Beijing by several countries in the region, tightening the squeeze on Taiwan's diplomatic space. Officials in Asunción and Belmopan have yet to comment, per Nikkei Asia. Watch for any response from Taipei, potential U.S. statements, and whether Beijing expands the blacklist. [Developing. This article will be updated.]