Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. (TRTC) on Friday retired a metro train that was promoting four of Taiwan’s Central American allies, after that number shrank to three the previous day, when Nicaragua switched diplomatic recognition to China.

The train on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line was one of a kind, with its brightly decorated cars highlighting the culture and tourism of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

The promotion was scheduled to run from Dec. 1 to 25, Christmas Day, but the TRTC train was withdrawn from service after the administration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega announcing Thursday that the country was switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.

To bring more attention to the ads, Central America Trade Office in Taipei had earlier this month posted a photo on its Facebook page, showing Nicaragua’s then Ambassador to Taiwan Mirna Mariela Rivera Andino standing in the train car that featured her country.

TRTC said Friday that any future plans for the Central American campaign would be up to the advertising company and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had spearheaded the project.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel