Colombia is deepening technological cooperation with China, particularly in telecommunications and digital infrastructure, which security analysts warn could have significant long-term implications for the country’s national security and digital sovereignty.
Globally, governments have raised concerns about the role of Chinese companies in critical infrastructure. Telecommunications networks, cloud platforms, and data systems are not only commercial technologies but also strategic assets capable of carrying sensitive government communications, defense information, and critical data flows — making them potential targets for espionage if compromised.
Colombia’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MinTIC) has strengthened cooperation with Chinese technology companies, including meetings with executives from firms such as Huawei and ZTE during an official visit to China in mid-January. The discussions focused on areas such as 5G networks, fiber-optic infrastructure, cloud services, artificial intelligence, and training programs aimed at strengthening Colombia’s digital capabilities.
While these initiatives are presented as opportunities for technological development, analysts warn that deeper integration with Chinese technology providers may create long-term strategic vulnerabilities.
Legal framework and security concerns
One of the central concerns surrounding Chinese technology companies is the country’s legal framework governing intelligence cooperation. China’s National Intelligence Law requires organizations and citizens to support and cooperate with state intelligence work, a requirement that security analysts say effectively obliges Chinese companies to assist the government when requested.
“In Colombia, there are no specific mechanisms for auditing technology based on its country of origin,” Andrés Navarro, professor in the Department of Computing and Intelligent Systems at ICESI University in Colombia, told Diálogo. According to Navarro, existing protocols focus primarily on technical performance rather than on geopolitical or security risks associated with technology suppliers.
A report by Colombia’s Hernán Echavarría Olózaga Institute of Political Science warns that Chinese information and communication technology companies maintain institutional links with the Chinese state and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including security and intelligence bodies. Under China’s political system, CCP branches operate within Chinese companies, creating formal ties between corporate activity and the strategic priorities of the state.
The report cautions that incorporating technology from these companies into government systems or critical infrastructure without robust safeguards could increase vulnerabilities for national security. Technical certifications can verify functionality, but they do not necessarily address broader concerns related to strategic trust and control.
Lessons from international cases
Security concerns related to Chinese technology are not limited to Colombia. Similar debates have emerged around the world as governments evaluate the risks associated with foreign-supplied digital infrastructure.
One widely cited case involves the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia, where technicians reportedly detected unauthorized data transfers from servers linked to Huawei equipment. Analysts say the incident illustrates how sensitive communications could be exposed when government systems rely on Chinese digital infrastructure. Concerns about such risks have led several governments — including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and Costa Rica — to restrict or exclude Huawei from their telecommunications networks on national security grounds.
According to an analysis by The Heritage Foundation, technological infrastructure supplied by Chinese companies can create potential exposure for strategic data and sensitive communications with significant economic and political implications.
In Colombia, Navarro explained that current internal protocols are not designed to evaluate risks related to the origin of technological components or detect vulnerabilities embedded in hardware. This raises additional concerns in an environment where Chinese technology has gained ground in both government and private-sector projects.
The debate also extends to artificial intelligence technologies. In 2025, several governments imposed restrictions on the Chinese AI model DeepSeek after researchers identified vulnerabilities related to data management and privacy protections. Authorities warned that user interactions could be collected and used to train algorithms while potentially exposing sensitive information.
Cybersecurity researchers have also identified espionage campaigns targeting government entities in Latin America. Investigations by cybersecurity firm ESET attributed some of these operations to threat groups aligned with China, including the group known as FamousSparrow. These campaigns have used techniques such as hijacking software updates and exploiting network devices, reinforcing concerns about security in critical infrastructure across the region.
Expanding footprint
China’s technological presence in Latin America has expanded significantly over the past decade. Chinese companies now supply a wide range of telecommunications infrastructure across the region, including mobile networks, fiber-optic systems, data centers, and submarine cables.
This expansion has allowed Chinese technology providers to become central players in national connectivity projects.
“One must be clear about the risks involved when acquiring Chinese technological infrastructure,” Navarro said.
According to Navarro, some systems may limit the operational autonomy of local operators because maintenance, updates, and specialized technical knowledge remain concentrated with the original supplier.
Over time, this dependency can make it difficult for countries to replace systems or diversify their technology providers.
In Colombia, the defense sector has largely avoided purchasing equipment from Chinese companies due to security concerns. In other sectors, however, procurement decisions are frequently driven by cost considerations rather than long-term strategic risk assessments. This dynamic could allow Chinese technology providers to gain a deeper foothold in critical infrastructure.
Strategic implications for Colombia
For Colombia, decisions about telecommunications infrastructure and digital platforms will have long-term implications for national security.
As digital networks increasingly underpin government operations, economic activity, and defense systems, the presence of Chinese-controlled technology in critical infrastructure could create opportunities for espionage, surveillance, or disruption during periods of geopolitical tension. In this context, decisions about technology suppliers are no longer only economic or technical choices, but strategic considerations that could shape Colombia’s security environment for years to come.
