Chinese Train Company, Questioned in Latin America, under Investigation in Europe
The European Commission (EC) has opened an investigation to determine whether the state subsidies the Chinese train manufacturing company China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) received, have allowed it to compete with an undue advantage in a public tender for electric trains and maintenance services. “A company should win, offer [ … ]
US Air Force Carries Out First Medical Assistance Mission in St. Kitts and Nevis
U.S. Air Force Forces Southern/12th Air Force launched its first medical assistance mission to St. Kitts and Nevis region, March 18. Forty-three U.S. Air Force active duty and reserve airmen traveled to St. Kitts and Nevis in support of this year’s Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) mission, where they [ … ]
The Host Nation Liaison Officer – A Tactical Force Multiplier
Introduction The integration of host nation Liaison Officers (LNOs) into U.S. Security Cooperation Organizations (SCOs) serves to meet U.S. strategic and operational objectives. The concept of integrated deterrence, as outlined in the U.S. National Defense Strategy, stresses a holistic approach combined with our allies and partners to increase shared understanding, [ … ]
US Air Force Medical Team Benchmarks First Medical Assistance Mission to St. Vincent
Under the direction of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Air Forces Southern/12th Air Force successfully pioneered its first Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) mission to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, March 4-12. The team of 34 active duty and reserve airmen traveled to St. Vincent to work closely with their [ … ]
Latin America in the Crosshairs of China-backed Cyber Pirates
Cybersecurity has become essential throughout the world, and Latin America is no exception to this reality. According to the IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2024 report, the region was the fourth most attacked in 2023, accounting for 12 percent of incidents worldwide. State-sponsored cyberattacks are a leading cause of concern [ … ]
Iran and Bolivia’s Strengthening Ties, a Risk for Latin America
Bolivian President Luis Arce and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi have vowed to strengthen bilateral relations as well as strategic cooperation in health, education, agriculture, and telecommunications, among other sectors, increasing the Islamic Republic’s footprint in Latin America, and setting off alarms in the hemisphere about the various threats to security, [ … ]
Ecuador-China FTA Raises Environmental Concerns
On February 15, Ecuador ratified a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, becoming the fourth Latin American country to establish a trade agreement with the Asian country. The agreement, however, raises concerns about the potential environmental and social impacts, as critics fear that the FTA will facilitate the entry of [ … ]
Risks of PRC Security Engagement for Latin America and the Caribbean
This article was adapted from a piece published on The Diplomat on February 23, 2024. Introduction Activities by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the security and defense sector in Latin America and the Caribbean are a small, but strategically significant portion of its engagement with the region. The [ … ]
Nicaragua and Venezuela top Freedom House’s blacklist on freedoms in 2023
A report released February 29 by the organization Freedom House presents Nicaragua and Venezuela at the top of its blacklist of countries by region where electoral manipulation was used, leading to a significant decline of political rights and civil liberties in the last 10 years. "Global freedom took a big [ … ]
Hezbollah, Entrenched in Latin America
US Navy Partners with Honduran Medical Professionals to Deliver Needed Care
Expeditionary Medical Unit (EMU) 10 G-Rotation 16 strengthened health capability and expanded U.S. Navy readiness with Honduran medical professionals during a Global Health Engagement (GHE) in San Pedro Sula, February 17-March 2, 2024. According to U.S. Navy Captain Jamie Fitch, the officer-in-charge for EMU 10 G-R16, her team cared for [ … ]
Hackers from China, Russia, Iran Use AI Tools, Microsoft Says
According to Microsoft and OpenAI, hackers are using artificial intelligence (AI) systems like ChatGPT to improve their cyberattacks. In joint research published on February 14, the technology giant and AI company identified hacker groups linked to the Russian military intelligence, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, as well as the governments of China [ … ]