To acquire COVID-19 vaccines, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said Tuesday that the nation might open a trade office in China after having a long-standing diplomatic ally of Taiwan.

The Central American nation does not have formal relations with China. But it is one of a group of Latin American countries with strong diplomatic ties to Taiwan, which Beijing considers a part of its territory.

According to Reuters, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez expressed his frustration about the allegedly hoarding of the rich countries of the global vaccine supplies.

Hernandez added that poorer countries desperately need COVID-19 vaccines, and his government is willing to do whatever is necessary to help its people overcome the global health crisis.

The Honduran President noted that if necessary, the government would open a trade office in China willingly. During a televised speech, Juan Orlando Hernandez pointed out that the move is in the best interest of the Honduran people.

Hernandez also mentioned that to buy Chinese vaccines, he would do what the Chinese had suggested, looking for a "diplomatic bridge."

The Honduran president noted that Mexico, Argentina, Chile, or El Salvador could help his nation acquire Chinese vaccines. He said he had already asked Taiwan to press the U.S. to help them.

Juan Orlando Hernandez noted that they have a relationship with Taiwan and have asked the Asian country to help them talk with the people in Washington because they have been very close allies with the U.S. 

He added that the U.S. has a huge number of vaccines that will expire if not immediately administered, Today Online reported.

Meanwhile, a host of Latin American nations are receiving Chinese vaccines. However, several countries that have built ties with Taipei rather than Beijing, such as Guatemala and Honduras, are not in line to receive the vaccines.

Aside from the U.S., China and Russia have sought to deepen ties by providing vaccines in Latin America. It is part of their vaccine diplomacy efforts in expanding their geopolitical clout in countries in the region.

Beijing has been gradually whittling away at diplomatic allies with Taiwan. It is now down to just 15 countries, which has alarmed Washington regarding the increased Chinese presence in Latin America and the Pacific, where those allies are concentrated.

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El Salvador's Assistance

President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele said that he will be donating COVID-19 vaccines to seven towns in Honduras even though his own country's vaccination effort is still struggling.

The country of El Salvador has administered around 1.25 million COVID-19 shots. It is not nearly enough for the 6.5 million individuals who need to be inoculated in the country.

But Bukele was apparently touched by appeals made by the mayors of seven towns in neighboring Honduras who asked the country of El Salvador for help. Local officials of Honduras claimed that their own government had abandoned them. 

Meanwhile, Bukele clarified that the donations would not affect El Salvador's vaccination drive because more shipments of vaccines were due to arrive soon, CTV News reported.

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