Brazil’s relationship with China and some of the trade agreements recently signed for Chinese companies to invest in the South American nation have set off alarm bells in industrial sectors, warning of unfair competition that harms the local market. In mid-April, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva traveled to [ … ]
Transnational Threats
China Shows Interest in Transoceanic Rail Project in Honduras
China is showing interest in investing in the construction of a transoceanic train rail that will bridge the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Honduras. The proposed $20 billion train rail project, with an estimated 15-year construction timeline, is part of a broader initiative of trade and investment between both countries. [ … ]
Brazil Exposes and Dismantles Major Money Laundering Ring from International Narcotrafficking
The Brazilian Federal Police (PF) successfully dismantled a large money laundering network linked to international drug trafficking. Operation Bahamut, launched on July 12, led to the arrest of several people in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. As part of Bahamut, [ … ]
‘Narco Bananas,’ New Drug Trafficking Method
Ecuador and Colombia are making significant efforts to reduce the advances of narcotrafficking in their territories, increasing their focus on the banana industry, an important source of income for both nations. In a June 2023 investigation, Ecuador’s state-owned TC Televisión and the transnational media initiative CONNECTAS warned about the increase [ … ]
Brazil’s Criminal Groups Hamper Fight Against Illegal Mining in the Amazon
Brazil’s largest criminal groups, the First Command of the Capital (PCC) and the Red Command (CV), have been working together with illegal miners in the Amazon, hampering government efforts to eradicate mining and contributing to increased violence in Brazil’s Yanomami reservation, the largest indigenous territory in the world and home [ … ]
China and Cuba’s Plan for Military Base Threatens the Region
China and Cuba are in advanced negotiations for the construction of a joint military training facility, an infrastructure that would facilitate the presence of Chinese troops in Cuba on a permanent basis. A base for these purposes would be in addition to the spy bases that China allegedly has on [ … ]
China’s Chancay Port Runs into Problems
The recent problems of China’s mega-port project in Chancay, Peru, renewed concerns about Chinese companies’ shoddy workmanship as well as China’s true motives behind its strong participation in what is envisioned as a major trading hub in the region. In mid-May, following a landslide at one of the port’s tunnel [ … ]
China Refuses to Back Down in Port Plan in Argentina
In early June, Argentine Governor of Tierra del Fuego Gustavo Melella revived an old controversy concerning a deal with a Chinese company to build a multipurpose port in Rio Grande. The controversy was reignited when Melella presented the memorandum of understanding he had signed with Shaanxi Chemical Industry Group to [ … ]
China Wants to Control the Latin American Electricity Sector
Beijing is seeking to position itself as a leader in the electricity sector in Latin America through strategic investments and acquisitions, taking advantage of gaps left by other companies, Uruguayan news site Latinoamérica 21 reported. “This could generate technological and economic dependency on China, which would allow Beijing to become [ … ]
Continuing Promise Mission to Deploy to the Region
The U.S. Navy expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) will deploy to Latin America and the Caribbean over the next two months as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Continuing Promise 2023 mission. Detailed planning has wrapped up for the USNS Burlington to visit Panama, Colombia, [ … ]
China and Cuba Agree on Establishing Espionage Center
China and Cuba have reached a secret agreement whereby Beijing will install a new electronic espionage base in Cuban territory that will intercept communications of all kinds. As compensation for the “permission” Beijing will pay billions of dollars to the Cuban regime, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). “The [ … ]
Security Forces Combat Escalating Violence in Honduras
Multiple murders, prison riots, extortion, killings, and clashes among criminal groups have driven up violence rates in Honduras. Collective homicides marked June as the country’s most brutal month of the year, with a total of 151 violent deaths, including 46 women murdered at the end of the month at the [ … ]