Maduro Adds Conspiracy Theories to Guyana Conflict
In a desperate effort to maintain cohesion of his political base, Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro once again bemoaned alleged plots against him. Presenting his annual address before the ruling party-dominated National Assembly in mid-January, Maduro claimed that intelligence bodies had uncovered “four conspiracies with foreign components, planned from Miami and Colombia.” [ … ]
China-Latin America Space Cooperation – An Update
This article was originally published in The Diplomat on February 16, 2024. In September 2023, during a visit to China, Venezuela’s Nicholás Maduro announced an agreement in which China would transport Venezuelans to a research base it plans to build on the moon, the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) [ … ]
Russia and China Take the Lead in Rush for Bolivia’s Lithium
Russia, just like China, has gained access to Bolivia’s lithium reserves, estimated at 23 million tons, and believed to be the richest known lithium deposits in the world. Bolivia’s seeming preference for China and Russia has experts worried, however, due to both countries’ low environmental standards and regulations for their [ … ]
The Risks of China-Made High-Impact Infrastructure in Colombia PART I
Maduro Holds on to Power and Expands Crackdown on Opposition
In a move seen as expanding the crackdown on the opposition, the regime of Nicolás Maduro detained human rights activist Rocío San Miguel, accusing her of plotting to kill Maduro, Attorney General Tarek William Saab said via X. San Miguel was arrested February 9 at an airport in Caracas in [ … ]
Chinese Criminal Networks and Their Reach in Latin America
Despite high rates of violence and corruption in Latin America and the Caribbean driven by criminal organizations from the hemisphere, a study by researchers at Florida International University (FIU) highlights the growing impact of Chinese criminal networks in the region and exposes their link to Chinese-state owned companies.PAONat “They operate [ … ]
Chilean Navy Deploys Submarine to Monitor Chinese Fishing Vessels
In the depth of the South Pacific Ocean, a Chilean submarine has been keeping tabs on Chinese fishing vessels to halt illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. In late December, the Chilean Navy said it had deployed one of its Scorpène class submarines in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), in [ … ]
China’s Charm Offensive in Latin America and the Caribbean: A comprehensive Analysis of China’s Strategic Communication Strategy Across the Region [Part I: Propaganda and Politics]
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This paper analyzes the expansion of Chinese media and public diplomacy in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Through its “discourse of power” and an attempt to extend its soft power across the continent, Chinese and some LAC media (print, audiovisual, and digital) sustained, amplified, and exalted the [ … ]
Strengthening the US-Uruguay Security Partnership
The commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, visited Uruguay February 5-8, and met with senior government and defense leaders to discuss the bilateral defense partnership between the United States and Uruguay. The visit was Gen. Richardson’s first to Uruguay as SOUTHCOM commander. During her [ … ]
Colombian Amazon under Threat by Illegal Armed Groups
Illegal armed groups are present in 33 of the 35 municipalities within the protected areas of the Colombian Amazon, Colombia’s Institute for Development and Peace Studies (Indepaz) indicated. These include the departments of Putumayo, Caquetá, Guaviare, Guainía, Vaupés, and Amazonas, Indepaz told Diálogo on January 29. The illegal armed groups, [ … ]
US and Barbados Collaborate on Cybersecurity
The U.S. government sent an interagency group of cyber defense experts to Barbados to conduct comprehensive network assessments in partnership with the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and Regional Security System (RSS) from January 23 to February 2. The assessments took place at Paragon Base (Regional Security System HQ), Coast Guard [ … ]
Colombian Navy Cadets Develop skills and Lasting Friendships in US
Seeking to develop capabilities to use leadership skills at the tactical level, and to complement the knowledge acquired, 47 Marine cadets from the Colombian Navy’s Almirante Padilla Naval School trained at Fort Moore in Georgia. The training was carried out together with cadets from the Paraguayan Army and the Honduran [ … ]