Special Report

The Risks of China-Made High-Impact Infrastructure in Colombia PART I

The reach of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in major infrastructure projects in Colombia has increased considerably in recent years. The first line of the Bogotá Metro, the Regiotram commuter train, and the Mar 2 Highway are just some of the million-dollar contracts awarded to the Asian country. Projects that have come with some expectations, as they promised to turn around the development of a country lagging behind in infrastructure, but also concerns because Chinese works are far from smooth.

“Several Chinese companies currently operating or participating in large Colombian projects have been accused of environmental damage, corruption, labor violations, or undue delays worldwide,” Leland Lazarus, associate director of national security at the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy at Florida International University (FIU), told Diálogo.

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Academia

China, the U.S. and Latin America: Pursuing Self-Interest Shouldn’t Imply Self-Destructive Choices
China, the U.S. and Latin America: Pursuing Self-Interest Shouldn’t Imply Self-Destructive Choices

This article was originally published on Infobae on October 26, 2023.   From October 22-25, 2023, I had the honor to be a speaker in an event on the relationships of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the U.S. with Latin America and the Caribbean. The event was hosted by the prestigious Latin America Center for China Studies (CELC) of the respected Andres Bello University in Santiago Chile, on the heels of Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s trip to the PRC for the 10th Annual Belt and Road forum, and an important bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping. In accepting [ … ]

Iran’s Re-engagement with Latin America
Iran’s Re-engagement with Latin America

This article was initially published in the Magazine Poder Terrestre y Seguridad Vol. 2 No. 4 (2023): October to December, of the Peruvian Army CEEP think tank Abstract The article presents the resumption of Iran’s relations with Latin America and the opportunities this offers for political and economic interaction. It highlights Iran’s acceptance into the BRICS during the organization’s summit in Johannesburg in 2023, which accelerated the reestablishment of Iran’s contacts with the international community. In addition, China’s role in its economic strengthening is mentioned, as well as its encouragement to Latin American and Caribbean governments to collaborate without concern [ … ]

The Evolution of Chinese Engagement with the Dominican Republic
The Evolution of Chinese Engagement with the Dominican Republic

This article was originally published in the Center for Strategic and International Studies on October 31, 2023. From September 24 to 28, the author traveled to Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, as a guest of Funglode, one of the country’s leading think tanks, to speak about security challenges in the Caribbean. While there, he interacted with experts on a range of topics, including how the country’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has evolved. Few of the high-profile Chinese infrastructure projects, investments and access to the PRC market promised when the previous government of Danilo Medina abandoned Taiwan [ … ]

China, Threat to Institutions, Democracy, Transparency, says International Republican Institute Analyst
China, Threat to Institutions, Democracy, Transparency, says International Republican Institute Analyst

The presence of the People’s Republic of China in Latin America is extremely dangerous for transparency and democratic institutional structure in the countries of the region due to China’s affinity with dictators and its willingness to make corrupt deals with politicians in Latin America, said Matt Schrader, International Republican Institute (IRI) advisor on Chinese affairs, in an interview with Expediente Público. Schrader was one of the topical experts at a forum on Chinese influence and interests in the world, coordinated by the International Republican Institute’s Center for Global Impact and held in Washington D.C. “I think the reason you need to [ … ]

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General Javier Eduardo Iturriaga del Campo, commander of the Chilean Army
“One of our mission areas is to contribute to international cooperation and our country’s foreign policy, and within that framework the Army maintains a broad agenda of knowledge and cooperation at the regional and international level with partner nations. The Chilean Armed Forces are currently participating in several peacekeeping missions, specifically in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Colombia, and the Middle East, and in this area, they also participate in exercises such as U.S. Southern Command’s Southern Vanguard.”
General Javier Eduardo Iturriaga del Campo, commander of the Chilean Army
Colonel (ret.) Gladys Pecci, Paraguayan Vice Minister of National Defense
“Only 5.6 percent of the total [Paraguayan] Armed Forces’ personnel are women, and we want to increase this number. The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces are being very receptive to breaking established structural paradigms, which allow women to fill certain roles, because we believe that democracy is enhanced when there is inclusion of women in the defense field.”
Colonel (ret.) Gladys Pecci, Paraguayan Vice Minister of National Defense
Major General William L. Thigpen, U.S. Army South commanding general
The collaboration and partnership that comes with an exercise like this [Southern Vanguard 22] is extremely important to us. It builds interoperability. It also allows us to understand each other’s capabilities. But most importantly, it builds camaraderie down to the tactical level, as well as readiness for both countries, and partnership.”
Major General William L. Thigpen, U.S. Army South commanding general