Looking directly into the camera, the news anchor speaks of the importance of U.S-Chinese cooperation in supporting the global economy. At first glance, the woman appears to be presenting a regular newscast. But neither the broadcaster nor the Wolf News branding on the video is real. It’s a deep fake, [ … ]
China


China’s Spy Balloons Float over the World
The Chinese spy balloons that entered the airspace of the United States and at least three Latin American countries in late January and early February, capturing the world’s attention, exposed China’s growing interest in low-cost and difficult-to-detect devices for surveillance and defense systems, Spanish daily El País reported. “The more [ … ]

China and 5G Technology, a Weapon for Dictatorships in Latin America
In China, the government maintains control over the internet and all information and communication technology products and services provided by Chinese companies. According to Argentina-based news site TeleSemana, China has been using the technology of Huawei, a company closely linked to the Chinese government, to control and monitor the population. [ … ]

US to Expand Monitoring Program Against IUU Fishing
In late December 2022, NOAA Fisheries, responsible for managing the United States’ ocean resources, announced a plan to expand and update the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) aimed at curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing worldwide. “The program is one of several tools NOAA utilizes to combat IUU fishing [ … ]

Confronting China, Iran, and Russia Against Threats to Democracy
Washington, D.C.-based think tank Center for a Secure Free Society (SFS) hosted the 2023 Western Hemisphere Security Forum on January 19, bringing together political leaders and defense, intelligence, and law enforcement officials of the region to analyze issues such as threats to democracies in Latin America and strategies to confront [ … ]

China Plunders Bolivian Gold
Chinese companies have been hiding behind mining cooperatives to extract gold in the northern regions of the department of La Paz, Bolivia. These cooperatives receive an income in exchange for maintaining secrecy. These Chinese companies have been enriching themselves with Bolivian gold without paying taxes, while polluting and damaging the [ … ]

Panama Creates IUU Fishing Protection Center
In early January, Panama’s President Laurentino Cortizo announced the creation of an interinstitutional center, which objective will be to rigorously combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The center will contribute to the development of measures against IUU fishing and water pollution for the conservation and protection of the marine [ … ]

US Invests $13.7 million in Costa Rica to Combat Narcotrafficking
On February 7, the United States pledged to give Costa Rica $13.7 million worth of security equipment to “improve” the Central American country’s ability to combat narcotrafficking, said U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). “I am pleased to announce [...] initiatives that will enhance [ … ]

China’s Police Operates Around the World
According to the report from Spain-based human rights group Safeguard Defenders Patrol and Persuade, Beijing established at least 102 undercover Chinese police stations in 53 countries to monitor and force its exiled citizens, mainly dissidents, to return to China to face charges. “Everything indicates that the work [of the stations] [ … ]

Chile and Bolivia Seize 690 Tons of Chemical Precursors from China
Agents of the Investigative Brigade of Controlled Chemical Substances (BRISUQ) of Chile’s Investigative Police (PDI) and Chile’s Customs Service concluded 2022 with an unprecedented seizure at the Port of Arica. The seizure consisted of dozens of containers with more than 690 tons of chemical precursors used for the manufacture of [ … ]

China’s Network of Ports Grows in Latin America
According to a late 2022 study by the U.S.-based national security and defense think tank Center for a Secure Free Society (SFS), the number of Chinese-owned or operated ports worldwide has increased considerably. China’s foothold in some 40 ports in Latin America from Peru to Mexico, combined with 11 satellite [ … ]

China’s Belt and Road Initiative Loses Steam
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which China adopted in 2013 to develop land and maritime infrastructure projects in less developed countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe, appears to be falling short of its original objectives, Forbes reported in late November 2022. [ … ]