Taiwan News on January 6, 2025 – President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Lai Ching-te today received the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Guatemala, Luis Raúl Estévez López, who presented his credentials and welcomed his mission in Taiwan. Ambassador López expressed in his speech that he will do his utmost to continue strengthening the friendly relations between the two countries.
President Lai, in his address, expressed his pleasure in accepting the credentials of Ambassador López at the Presidential Office. Last year, Taiwan and Guatemala celebrated the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and President Lai welcomed Ambassador López’s arrival in Taiwan at this significant moment, witnessing a new milestone in the bilateral relations.
President Lai pointed out that Ambassador López is a distinguished senior diplomat who has served as a Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States and the International Court of Justice, possessing extensive qualifications. His appointment to Taiwan demonstrates President Arévalo’s emphasis on the bilateral relations. President Lai looks forward to leveraging Ambassador López’s 32 years of rich diplomatic experience to deepen the friendship between Taiwan and Guatemala on the foundation of their 90-year-old strong bond.
President Lai emphasized the increasing closeness in exchanges between Taiwan and Guatemala in recent years. The two countries have fruitful cooperation in fields such as healthcare, agriculture technology, and education and culture. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu led a delegation to Guatemala in October last year, meeting with President Arévalo to further deepen bilateral relations. At the outset of President Arévalo’s term, he also expressed his blessings to the Taiwanese people through video, hoping for continued enhancements in economic and trade exchanges between the two countries. Additionally, “First Lady Lucrecia Peinado has also visited Taiwan to participate in National Day events, and we miss her dearly.”
President Lai expressed gratitude to the Guatemalan government for continuously voicing support for Taiwan’s international participation in various international arenas. He also looks forward to the new year, with the support and assistance of Ambassador López, for Taiwan and Guatemala to continue supporting each other and promoting mutual prosperity and development. He requested Ambassador López to convey Taiwan’s gratitude and greetings to President Arévalo and First Lady Lucrecia, as well as wishing him success in his work.
In his speech, Ambassador López expressed his honor to personally present his credentials to President Lai. He conveyed sincere greetings from President Arévalo of Guatemala to President Lai and wished for the prosperity of Taiwan. The presentation of his credentials symbolizes Guatemala’s deep appreciation for the bilateral friendship, aiming to maintain and strengthen the carefully cultivated relationship between the two sides and looking forward to a friendlier future.
Ambassador López mentioned that as President Lai mentioned, recently, Guatemala and Taiwan celebrated the 90th anniversary of their friendship, accumulating sincere and close exchanges over such a long period. The development and strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries are based on the shared values of peace, democracy, reciprocity, and respect for international law in the interactions between Guatemala and Taiwan.
Respecting self-determination, national sovereignty, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs have been the principles adhered to by both Taiwan and Guatemala for the past 90 years of friendship. They are the foundation for the continued development and strengthening of the friendly and reciprocal relations between the two countries. It is hoped that future generations of Guatemala and Taiwan will recognize the efforts made by both sides for the bilateral relations, making the friendship between the two countries more solid, beneficial to the people, and creating more prosperity.
“I want to express gratitude on behalf of the people and government of Guatemala for all the assistance Taiwan has provided over the years. I am deeply honored to be appointed as the Ambassador of Guatemala to Taiwan by President Arévalo. I will do my utmost to continue strengthening and expanding the friendly relations between our two countries. Finally, I wish the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Guatemala the best of luck and enduring friendship,” Ambassador López said.