Much like footprints left on the white sand beaches of the Caribbean, the imprints made by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) can be found all over the region. But unlike the tracks of beachgoers, the Chinese presence is not so easily swept away. By using tools ranging from government [ … ]
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Uruguay: Message in a Bottle Highlights Forced Labor in Chinese Fishing Fleet
In late June, a woman walking along a beach in Maldonado, Uruguay, found a bottle with a message written in some Asian language. Because the message ended with “SOS,” the woman understood that it was a call for help and took the bottle to the Piriápolis Prefecture, which launched an [ … ]

Fishing Activities of Chinese Fleet in South Atlantic Increases Eightfold
The fishing effort (fishing hours per vessel in a given period) of the Chinese fleet in the South Atlantic has increased eightfold in the last 10 years. Such was one of the findings of Argentine environmental organization Círculo de Políticas Ambientales (CPA) based on satellite data from the Global Fishing [ … ]

Iran Seeks to Increase Footprint in Bolivia with Drones
In an attempt to expand its influence in Latin America, Iran is strengthening its push for power through strategic agreements, such as the recent security and defense cooperation treaty signed with Bolivia, which poses a risk to peace and stability in the region, security experts say. The treaty, signed on [ … ]

China Shies Away from Coalition Against Synthetic Drugs
The fight against the synthetic drugs that are wreaking havoc around the world is entering a new chapter. Some 90 countries are now part of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats. China plays a leading role in the sale of precursors used in the commercial manufacture of these [ … ]

NY Air Guardsmen Conduct Combat Search and Rescue Training in Brazil
One hundred New York National Guard airmen spent August 16-27 in Campo Grande, Brazil conducting combat search and rescue exercises with their Brazilian Air Force counterparts. The airmen, most of whom are assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing, conducted missions simulating the recovery of downed aircrew, conducted aerial refueling of [ … ]

US Marines Participate in Brazilian Marine Corps Exercise Formosa
Not far from the capital of Brazil lies a Brazilian Marine Corps Expeditionary Base. Among the arid red-sand landscape, the Brazilian Marine Corps embarked on the much-anticipated Exercise Formosa in a display of military prowess. The exercise underscores the growing importance of international collaboration in addressing global security challenges and [ … ]

Sergeant Major Rafael Rodriguez assumes duties as US Southern Command’s Senior Enlisted Leader
U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Rafael Rodriguez assumed duties as US. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) senior enlisted leader on September 6, relieving outgoing U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Benjamin Jones, during a change of responsibility ceremony at SOUTHCOM’s headquarters. Sgt. Maj. Rodriguez, previously served as the sergeant major for the Manpower [ … ]

USNS Burlington Arrives in Trinidad and Tobago
The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) arrived in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on September 2, marking the third stop throughout the course of the Continuing Promise 2023 (CP23) mission. The Burlington was previously in Santa Marta, Colombia in support of CP23. Burlington is an [ … ]

Ortega-Murillo Regime Uses Anti-money Laundering System for Political Repression
According to the study The Double Standard of Dictator Daniel Ortega’s Anti-Money Laundering Policy, carried out by Central American think tank Expediente Abierto, the Daniel Ortega-Rosario Murillo regime uses anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) standards to strengthen political repression of its opponents. Meanwhile, the regime makes it out to [ … ]

El Salvador Graduates 16 Counternarcotics K-9 Agents, with US support
The Salvadoran National Civil Police (PNC), with support from the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), graduated 16 counternarcotics K-9 agents to join the fight against transnational criminal groups in the region. The police officers and their canine companions are trained to identify drugs and paper [ … ]

Maduro Increases Dependence on Iran to Preserve Oil Industry
Following the departure of former Venezuelan Oil Minister Tareck el Aissami in March, the Nicolás Maduro regime increased its dependence on Iran to keep the oil industry afloat. In June, president of state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea, signed a memorandum of understanding with his Iranian [ … ]