China Using ‘Checkbook Diplomacy’ in Latin America to Alienate Taiwan as Invasion Threat Rises: Analysts

FILE - In this file photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, then outgoing Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, left, exchanges gifts with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during a meeting in Taipei, Taiwan on Nov. 13, 2021. Taiwan says it has recalled its ambassador to Honduras on Thursday, March 23, 2023, amid moves by the Central American country to establish formal diplomatic ties with China. Taiwan Presidential Office via AP, File

The list of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in Latin America continues to shrink as China tightens its grip on the region.

Though beyond trade maneuvers, some analysts believe China’s isolation of Taiwan in the region also aims to secure favorable “votes” before taking aggressive action against the island nation.