Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen meets with leaders of Honduras, Nicaragua

One meeting was held without giving prior notice to Taiwan’s press pool.
By Elizabeth Shim

President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen (L), is wecomed by Honduran presidential nominee Ricardo Alvarez (R) after her arrival at Palmerola Air Baseon Sunday. Tsai arrived in Honduras, where she is scheduled to meet with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, as part of her tour to Central America aimed to strengthen diplomatic ties and cooperation between Taiwan and its Central American allies. 

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen shakes hands with a worker during a visit to a Free Trade Zone in Managua, Nicaragua, on Tuesday. Tsai Ing-wen was visiting Nicaragua as the first part of a Central American tour. 

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with the president of Nicaragua and held talks with Honduran Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga in the countries that still maintain diplomatic relations with Taipei.
Tsai, who is on a tour of Central America, had already met with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz in Houston.
On Monday, Tsai met with the Honduran cardinal in the capital city of Tegucigalpa, at the Basílica de Suyapa, Taiwanese newspaper China Times reported Tuesday.
Tsai attended a mass at the church that was held for Taiwan and afterward the Taiwanese leader met with Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez.
On Monday afternoon, Tsai left Honduras and arrived in adjacent Nicaragua, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency. 

At 6:30 p.m., Tsai met with President Daniel Ortega for a summit that took place quickly and without giving prior notice to Taiwan's press corps, according to the reports.
Ahead of the meeting between Tsai and Ortega, there was speculation in Taiwan the Nicaraguan government was delaying confirmation of a date for talks, because the country was considering following the example of São Tomé and Príncipe, and cutting diplomatic ties with Taipei in favor of forging relations with China.
Some members of Taiwan's press corps have experienced difficulties in the countries.
One Taiwanese reporter posted a photo of a bill issued at the Real InterContinental Tegucigalpa hotel in Honduras, clearly showing "Taiwan, Province of China" next to the reporter's name, according to Central News Agency.
The hotel said the wording on the document was a mistake, according to the report.