Subheading: Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cooperates with Investigation into Surveillance Incident in Asunción
Asunción, Paraguay — Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced on Friday that it is cooperating with Paraguayan authorities in an ongoing investigation into a suspicious vehicle linked to Chinese telecommunications company Huawei. The vehicle is believed to have been used to surveil Taiwan’s Ambassador to Paraguay, José Han (韓志正), and his residence in the capital, Asunción, in an incident that occurred in October.
The Incident: Suspicious Vehicle Parked Outside Ambassador’s Residence
The incident was first noticed by staff at Taiwan’s embassy in Asunción, who observed a gray Audi van parked outside the residence of Ambassador José Han. The vehicle, which was reportedly stationary for about two hours, drew attention due to the suspicious behavior of the individuals inside.
According to witness reports, a man in the vehicle appeared to take photos of the residence and pointed an item resembling an electronic monitoring device at the building. The device appeared to be designed for digital signal interception or interference, further raising concerns about the vehicle’s intentions.
Investigation and Identification of the Vehicle
Upon being alerted by the embassy, local police swiftly responded to the scene. However, as authorities approached the vehicle, the driver immediately fled the area. Paraguayan police then reviewed surveillance footage from nearby cameras, which helped identify the vehicle’s license plate as belonging to Huawei, the Chinese technology giant.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the driver of the vehicle was a 62-year-old Huawei employee named Dionisio Duarte, while the other individual in the van was described by witnesses as “a man with oriental features.” Both individuals are now part of an ongoing investigation led by local authorities.
Taiwan’s Response: Ensuring the Safety of Diplomatic Staff
In response to the disturbing incident, MOFA reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Taiwan’s diplomatic personnel around the world. The ministry confirmed that its embassy in Paraguay is actively cooperating with Paraguayan authorities to resolve the situation and safeguard Taiwan’s interests.
“We take the safety of our diplomatic staff seriously and are fully supporting the Paraguayan authorities in their investigation,” a MOFA spokesperson said.
Key Facts:
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | October 2024 |
| Vehicle Involved | Gray Audi van registered to Huawei |
| Individuals Involved | Driver: Dionisio Duarte, Huawei employee. Passenger: Unidentified man with oriental features. |
| Suspected Activity | Surveillance and potential interception of digital signals |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing cooperation between Taiwan’s MOFA and Paraguayan authorities |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What happened in the incident involving Taiwan’s ambassador in Paraguay?
In October 2024, a suspicious vehicle was spotted outside Taiwan’s ambassador’s residence in Asunción, Paraguay. Individuals inside the vehicle appeared to take photographs of the residence and use an electronic monitoring device. The vehicle was later identified as registered to Huawei.
2. Who were the individuals inside the vehicle?
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Dionisio Duarte, a 62-year-old employee of Huawei. The second person in the vehicle was described as “a man with oriental features.”
3. What is Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs doing about the situation?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is cooperating with Paraguayan authorities to ensure the safety of its personnel in Paraguay. The ministry has also confirmed that its embassy is actively assisting in the investigation.
4. What did the vehicle’s driver do when police approached?
When Paraguayan police approached the suspicious vehicle, the driver immediately sped off. Authorities later tracked the vehicle’s license plate and found that it was registered to Huawei.
5. How is Taiwan’s government responding to this investigation?
Taiwan’s government is closely monitoring the situation and supporting the ongoing investigation. The embassy in Paraguay is working closely with local law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of Taiwan’s diplomatic personnel.
Conclusion: An Ongoing Investigation into Surveillance Allegations
This incident has sparked significant concern in Taiwan, as it points to a potential surveillance operation targeting Taiwanese diplomatic officials in Paraguay. The involvement of a Huawei-registered vehicle adds an additional layer of complexity to the case, raising questions about potential foreign intelligence gathering efforts. Taiwan is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its diplomatic staff, while the investigation continues in Paraguay.
Stay updated on further developments on this story at CialisWeb.
