Get the latest security and defense stories from across the Americas.
The awarding of a new phase of the Batidero camp to a consortium comprising two Chinese companies and one Argentine firm has sparked debate over the role of domestic industry in one of the region’s largest copper developments, local outlet iProfesional reported. The camp, in Argentina’s San Juan province, will house workers for the Vicuña mining project. The contract calls…
State-owned China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) expanded its presence in Peru’s electricity sector in 2026 by acquiring the remaining stake in Hydro Global Perú, a company linked to the San Gabán III hydroelectric plant in Puno. The transaction adds to the group’s other major assets in the country, including the Chaglla hydroelectric plant in the department of Huánuco and Luz…
Amid growing international scrutiny of China’s distant-water fishing fleet over allegations of illegal fishing, forced labor, and concerns about its implications for maritime security, Chilean authorities have stepped up inspections of foreign fishing vessels arriving at the country’s ports following a sharp increase in requests from Chinese-flagged ships to call there. One such operation took place in June 2026 and…
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key instrument of China’s strategic projection in Latin America. Beyond expanding AI applications, Beijing is seeking to expand its presence in the infrastructure that supports them, including data centers, cloud services, and telecommunications networks. The concern is that its growing control over these assets could strengthen China’s intelligence and defense capabilities, expand its influence…
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global demand for critical minerals is expected to grow by more than 6 percent annually through 2030, driven by the energy transition, the digitalization of economies, and intensifying technological competition among major powers. In this context, Latin America occupies a pivotal position: The region holds around half of the world’s lithium reserves, more…
The expansion of the state-owned Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco) at the Toromocho copper mine, in Peru’s Junín region, represents the latest step in a long-term strategy through which Beijing is strengthening its position in supply chains of global strategic importance. The approval of 28 projects comprising 33 operational components — backed by an investment of more than $700 million…
The completion of a key section of the Capricorn Bio-Oceanic Corridor marks a new phase in South America’s logistical integration. As the route brings the continent’s interior closer to Pacific ports and Asian markets, analysts warn that it could also strengthen the trade, logistics, and infrastructure network underpinning China’s growing strategic influence in Latin America. The corridor brings together Argentina,…
The expansion of Chinese companies in Latin America’s lithium sector has evolved from a purely commercial enterprise into a source of geopolitical leverage. Beijing’s ambitions extend well beyond mining. Chinese firms are increasingly seeking influence across the entire lithium value chain — from extraction and processing to exports, and, increasingly, the regulatory frameworks that govern these resources. Evan Ellis, research…
The expansion of China’s fishing fleet in South American waters is no longer limited to the large concentrations of vessels operating on the high seas along the edge of the region’s exclusive economic zones (EEZs). Chinese companies have also expanded their presence within national fishing fleets through acquisitions, local subsidiaries, and the reflagging of vessels, allowing them to operate both…
With a population of more than 18 million, the largest economy in Central America, and a strategic location between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Guatemala occupies a unique position in the region. As the country modernizes its port, digital, and technological infrastructure, Chinese companies and technologies have expanded their presence across multiple sectors. This has prompted broader discussions about how…
Across Latin America and the Caribbean, Chinese technology is becoming increasingly embedded in the systems that support everyday life and government operations. From telecommunications networks and video surveillance systems to cloud services and emerging artificial intelligence (AI) applications, Beijing’s growing presence in the digital domain is fueling a regional debate over digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, and technological dependence. As governments modernize…
The explosion and fire beneath the Bridge of the Americas in April, which killed one person, injured two others, and forced the temporary closure of one of Panama’s vital transportation routes, underscored the importance of resilient strategic infrastructure and alternative routes capable of sustaining mobility and logistical continuity during an emergency. The incident also revived debate over delays in the…
