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. “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 [ … ]
Russian MIR Payment Cards in Cuba: Another Step Toward Tighter Relations
Russia and Cuba have taken one more step toward tightening their relationship, allowing Russian tourists to use their MIR cards in the Caribbean Island to make transactions at ATMs, and pay for goods and services in commercial and retail businesses. The MIR cards have so far been accepted in popular [ … ]
Colombia and Ecuador Join Forces to Disrupt Narcotrafficking
After a more than two-year operation, Colombia and Ecuador dismantled transnational narcotrafficking organization Los Curva, following the January 6 capture in Colombia of two brothers identified as the leaders of the gang, Argentine news site Infobae reported. According to Operation Gran Fénix, carried out by Ecuador’s National Police, Navy, and [ … ]
Chinese Fishing Fleet under the Limelight in Latin American Waters
The massive presence of the Chinese fishing fleet in the waters of Latin America has contributed to making China one of the world’s leading seafood exporters, but also the worst when it comes to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The situation took a turn in late 2023 as Chinese [ … ]
Regional Collaboration Assists with Large Marijuana Seizure by Royal Bahamas Defence Force
Cooperation between regional allies and partners resulted in the arrest of four men smuggling nearly 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) of marijuana in the Bahamas. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), and the United States collaborated to apprehend the high-speed vessel near Ragged Island in [ … ]
Operation Ignis Deals Blow to Organized Crime in Paraguay
Paraguay’s military and security forces dismantled a criminal group in the northern department of Canindeyú, a red zone for drug and arms trafficking along the border with Brazil, Paraguay’s National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD) indicated in a press release. The actions were part of Operation Ignis, which ended on December 27. [ … ]