TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Nicaragua has set Dec. 23 as the deadline for all Taiwanese diplomats and official aid teams to leave following its switch to China, reports said Wednesday (Dec. 15).
In response, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also requested Nicaraguan diplomats leave Taipei by the same date, CNA reported. The Central American country’s government unexpectedly announced on Dec. 9 that it would recognize China, leaving Taiwan with 14 official diplomatic allies.
MOFA said that according to international diplomatic practice, the Taiwan embassy should have one month to complete procedures or another period of time agreed on by both sides. Giving diplomats only two weeks to leave is an extremely rare situation, MOFA said.
Eight development cooperation programs covering domains ranging from agriculture to healthcare have been halted, with staff and their spouses also planning to leave Nicaragua soon.