China Gains Foothold in Peru with Critical Infrastructure
China’s growing influence over Peru’s critical infrastructure and its strategic position raises concerns about the long-term implications for the Andean country’s economic, political, and social development. China, experts warned, already controls key sectors, such as energy supply, mining, and the Port of Chancay. “Chinese investments and projects abroad, such as [ … ]
US Donates Equipment Valued at more than $2 Million to El Salvador Firefighters
The U.S. government, through the Embassy’s military group, delivered top quality protective equipment to the firefighters of El Salvador, on March 21. This donation is valued at $2,140,088 and will help firefighters have the necessary tools to protect Salvadorans. The presentation ceremony was presided by U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador William [ … ]
China’s Tightening Grip across Latin America
The Chinese government is increasing its foothold in Latin America through various investments, including deep-water ports, energy, and mining resources, among other key areas, Washington-based think tank Atlantic Council said in a February report. “China is driving a strategic agenda guided by its economic, geopolitical, and energy interests,” Sergio Cesarin, [ … ]
China Withholds, Manipulates, Falsifies Official Data
The Communist Party of China (CPC) exhibits a pattern of deliberate withholding, manipulation, and falsification of official government data designed to restrict information to outside observers and artificially inflate its reputation and global standing, revealed the China Transparency Report 2024 by Washington-based think tank The Heritage Foundation (THF). “While some [ … ]
Panama: China’s Strategic Hub
Nearly 6 percent of global trade and 57.5 percent of the cargo transported in container that ships from Asia to the East Coast of the United States passes through the Panama Canal. Today, this important infrastructure is the focus of great concern in political, economic, and academic sectors given the [ … ]
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, [ … ]