Paraguay to host Taiwan's Lai in August
Paraguay is one of only 12 countries to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, and the only one in South America.
Taiwan's foreign ministry declined immediate comment.
"We are preparing anxiously and with much affection to receive President Lai in 30 days," Pena told the conference, which Lai's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung also attended.
Taiwan has a handful of other allies in Latin America and the Caribbean, but several have cut ties in recent years in favor of relations with economic powerhouse China, which considers Taiwan to be a Chinese province.
"This is to show the world that small countries have the capacity to become major global players," Pena added.
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