Senior U.S. envoy Chris Dodd to visit Honduras as it considers cutting ties with Taiwan

The U.S. Department of State announced on Thursday that a high-ranking envoy from the Biden administration plans to travel to Honduras, days after the Central American country said it would establish diplomatic ties with China. 

U.S. Special Presidential Adviser for the Americas Chris Dodd will visit Honduras and Panama from March 17 to March 21, the department said in a statement. 

Dodd formerly represented Connecticut as a Democratic member of both the U.S. House and Senate. 

In Honduras, Dodd will meet with Honduran officials and private-sector representatives. In Panama, the presidential adviser will meet officials and finance leaders, and attend the annual conference of the Inter-American Development Bank, reported Reuters. 

"These visits advance the commitment of the United States to foster inclusive economic growth, democracy, human rights, and rule of law in the Western Hemisphere," the State Department said.

Dodd’s visit comes days after Honduran President Xiomara Castro said her government planned to seek diplomatic ties with China, in part due to the country’s financial challenges and a $600 million debt it owes to Taiwan.

The move would mean that the Central American country would officially cut ties with Taiwan, leaving the island with only 13 diplomatic allies. 

Taiwan Premier Chen Chien-jen on Friday warned Honduras against taking the “poison” of aid that China promises in exchange for a diplomatic alliance. 

"China has been suppressing Taiwan's diplomacy, so it will invest funds related to specific countries in order to block Taiwan's diplomatic development," Chen said.

"Therefore, we very much hope that Honduras can recognize the true nature of China and hope they maintain diplomatic relations and not be deceived."