Relationship dossier
Nicaragua
Taiwan
Relationship assessment
Longstanding cooperation ended with Nicaragua’s 2021 diplomatic switch and the taking of Taiwan’s former diplomatic properties.
Nicaragua toward Taiwan
-40Nicaragua maintained diplomatic ties and a free-trade agreement with Taiwan before switching recognition to the People’s Republic of China in 2021 and ending relations with Taiwan. Nicaragua then took control of Taiwan’s former diplomatic properties.
Taiwan toward Nicaragua
+15Taiwan maintained diplomatic relations and economic cooperation with Nicaragua, including a bilateral free-trade agreement and assistance. Taiwan ended diplomatic relations after Nicaragua’s 2021 switch of recognition.
Overall relationship
-20The relationship combined longstanding diplomatic and economic cooperation, including a free-trade agreement, with an abrupt rupture in 2021. Nicaragua’s switch of recognition and subsequent takeover of Taiwan’s former diplomatic properties mark a major deterioration in the bilateral structure.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Nicaragua and Taiwan maintained diplomatic relations and a free-trade agreement before Nicaragua switched recognition to the People’s Republic of China in 2021 and ended ties with Taiwan. The break included Nicaragua’s taking control of Taiwan’s former diplomatic properties. Taiwan had previously provided Nicaragua with economic cooperation and assistance, but direct government relations ended with the diplomatic break.
Areas of tension
- Nicaragua’s 2021 termination of diplomatic relations with Taiwan
- Nicaragua’s taking control of Taiwan’s former diplomatic properties
Key developments
Nicaragua switched diplomatic recognition to the People’s Republic of China and ended relations with Taiwan.
A Nicaragua–Taiwan free-trade agreement entered into force.
Major uncertainties
- The extent of Nicaragua–Taiwan economic cooperation before the diplomatic break is unclear.
- The status of Taiwan’s former diplomatic properties and any related disputes is unclear.