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 [ … ]
Hezbollah, Entrenched in Latin America
The activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxy Hezbollah have increased alarmingly in the Western Hemisphere. “Iran’s main regional objective is to establish a political, military, and paramilitary network, parallel to like-minded anti-U.S. movements and regimes, to counter its influence and erode its legitimacy in the Western [ … ]
Women Conquer Positions in Brazilian Armed Forces
In recent weeks, the Brazilian Armed Forces have taken historic steps toward the inclusion of women in their operational sectors. One of the novelties comes from the Brazilian Army: for the first time in history, the Army’s Aircraft Pilots Course and Aircraft Maintenance Management Course will have female students. “Gender [ … ]
China’s Charm Offensive in Latin America and the Caribbean: A comprehensive Analysis of China’s strategic Communication Strategy Across the Region [Part III: Image, Academia, and Technology]
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This paper explores China’s public relations strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) through diplomacy, promoting study networks, cooperation among academies, and establishing a significant number of Confucius Institutes. This is supported by a vast network of print, audiovisual and digital media owned by China or LAC [ … ]
Colombian Navy Seizes Record Cocaine Amount in 2023 with International Cooperation
The Colombian Navy, with the support of partner countries, seized a historic 393 tons of cocaine hydrochloride in 2023. The achievement, carried out within the Ayacucho Plan of the Colombian Military Forces’ General Command, part of the government’s total peace plan, dealt a decisive blow to transnational criminal organizations, in [ … ]
Partner in Care: Medical Assistance Team Treats Patients, Strengthens Partnerships during LAMAT 2024
A team of doctors, nurses, and healthcare specialists across several fields traveled to Suriname as part of a U.S. Air Force medical assistance mission, one that has helped better the lives of host nation citizens while showcasing the power of sharing skills and cultivating relationships. Forty-two U.S. Air Force active [ … ]