China and Nicaragua have signed a free trade agreement (FTA), thus deepening their bilateral and economic relations, after the Daniel Ortega-Rosario Murillo regime broke off ties with Taiwan and aligned itself with Beijing. “We must look carefully at the new political and economic dynamics that China has been presenting for [ … ]
News


Unreliable Chinese Military Equipment, a Danger to National Security
In a global scenario where purchasing choices can determine a nation’s security and even the lives of its citizens and military, the quality of Chinese military equipment is once again on the spotlight for their unreliability. Growing concerns reached a tipping point following the situation in Burma. “Yes, major concerns [ … ]

The Increasing Influence of Iran in Latin America
Warning signs about a possible upsurge in Iranian activities in Latin America are growing, following the October 7 attack of the Hamas terrorist group against Israel. Experts believe that the spread of anti-Israeli sentiment will strengthen Iran and could boost Hezbollah and other radical groups’ activities in the region. “Iran’s [ … ]

China Increases Krill Fishing, Threatens Multiple Species
Antarctic krill, a tiny crustacean, is key to the food chain of the Antarctic ecosystem, sustaining a wide variety of animals, from birds like albatrosses and penguins; fish and cephalopods like squid; and mammals like whales, dolphins, sea lions, and elephant seals. Krill is essential for all of their livelihoods. [ … ]

China and the Lessons Learned from a Decade of the BRI
As Beijing marks the 10-year anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative or BRI, China’s state media is lauding the program’s efforts to boost connectivity and build out global infrastructure. More than 150 countries and 32 international organizations have joined the massive global transportation and infrastructure project with more than [ … ]

China Embeds Itself in El Salvador
Construction on El Salvador’s China-funded national library is nearing completion and while a date has yet to be set, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele assured that the inauguration would happen before year end, Salvadoran newspaper El Mundo reported. The YanJian Group, one of the companies that frequently carries out abroad constructions [ … ]

US Launches International Initiative Against Environmental Crimes and Criminal Networks
The United States, Norway, and Gabon, as well as several environmental organizations launched the Nature Crime Alliance, a new multi-sector approach to combat environmental crimes and criminal networks. The Alliance, which brings together governments, international organizations, and civil society, was launched on August 23 in Vancouver, Canada. “Many of these [ … ]

Leader of Tren de Aragua Faction Arrested in Peru
The ringleader of criminal organization Dinastía Alayón, a faction of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, was arrested in Peru along with 30 other alleged members of that gang, authorities in the South American country reported on October 5. “Resounding blow to the transnational criminal organization Dinastía Alayón - Tren de [ … ]

Anti-democratic Countries Exploit Latin American Dictatorships
Authoritarian countries such as China, Iran, and Russia have found a gateway through dictatorships in Latin America to gain influence in the region, according to the report Latin America Needs a Wake-Up Call, from the U.S. think tank The Heritage Foundation. “These nations take advantage of corruption in Cuba, Nicaragua, [ … ]

US and Colombia Soar Together: Ángel de los Andes and Relámpago VIII Bolster Interoperability
The U.S. military recently teamed up with the Colombian Aerospace Force to showcase bilateral cooperation and a commitment to enhancing military readiness in the Ángel de los Andes and Relámpago VIII exercises, hosted in Colombia in August and September 2023. Teams from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Space Force, Navy, [ … ]

Ortega-Murillo Regime Shuts Down Last Free Thinking Center
The Daniel Ortega-Rosario Murillo regime of Nicaragua ordered the closure and confiscation of assets of the Central American University (UCA) in Managua, accusing it of functioning as “a terrorism center to raise violence and destruction levels, organizing armed and hooded criminal groups that used terrorist methods in the country,” according [ … ]

US Charges 8 Chinese Firms, 12 Nationals in Fentanyl Trade
The U.S. Justice Department announced a sweeping crackdown on the global fentanyl network, charging eight Chinese chemical companies and 12 of their employees in connection with the deadly opioid crisis ravaging the United States. In eight separate indictments unsealed in Florida, federal prosecutors accused the companies and their employees of [ … ]