The US risks getting “out-competed” by China in Latin America, particularly in telecommunications and other critical infrastructure, setting off alarm bells for the US, a senior American military official said on Friday.
General Laura Richardson, head of the US Southern Command, delivered her observation on security challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean and their potential implications on US security during a discussion hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank.
Chinese outreach was “absolutely global and right under our nose, so close to our homeland”, said Richardson, whose command provides contingency planning and security cooperation with the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
“What the People’s Republic of China is doing looks to be investment, but I really call it extraction … and I’d say that it’s in the red zone.”
While there was no Chinese base in the Western hemisphere now, Richardson said, Beijing’s extensive infrastructure investment through its Belt and Road Initiative pointed to the potential for one in the future – a development that would “significantly heighten US security concerns”.
The Chinese embassy in Washington on Friday defended its Belt and Road Initiative.
Its projects were marked by comprehensive dialogue, mutual collaboration and shared advantages, said embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu, “illustrated by the 420,000 jobs it has created and the acceleration of economic growth in participating countries”.
“The BRI is well-received among the world most importantly because it is an initiative of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits,” Liu added.
“China never imposes its will on other countries, nor does it slip any selfish geopolitical agenda into the initiative.”
The general’s remarks on Friday come at a time of escalating disquiet in Washington over alleged Chinese military expansion near the US.
The Wall Street Journal, quoting confidential US intelligence, reported in June that China was on the brink of establishing a spy base in Cuba.
Dude, same boat here, I am from South America, and I absolutely agree that we are basically screwed with every populist regime that comes and goes, regardless if they call themselves left wing or right wing. In the end, they are all just corrupt imbeciles making a buck off of other’s misery and hunger.
The problem with Chinese money is that it will end the same way US money ended in the 80s/90s: indebted countries with massive inflation.
Mercosur is negotiating a deal with the EU, which should improve things a little, though, even though I was raised in Europe, I can tell you that it will be same shit, different continent.
I gave up trying to find the less bad player here. And don’t forget that some of the world biggest predators, including Nestle, Santander, Lloyds and Danone are European.
What South America needs is to get rid of populism, but I reckon an alien invasion is more likely. The way Argentinian elections are shaping up to happen, with Massa and the Kirchners not wanting to give up power; Brazil electing populist imbeciles like Lula and Bolsonaro; Chile stuck on drafting a new constitution; Peru dealing with protests and a regime that wants to amass more power; Colombia trying to survive the FARCs with peace agreements; Bolivia trying to stabilize itself after some really turbulent times; and Uruguay, well, swinging from left to right, I reckon we are ways from solving any issues.
So might as well embrace the Chinese, since there is not much left to lose. Just without any illusions that what they are doing will be any good to anyone in the long run, like US money from the 50s was.
And don’t worry, discussing Latam politics as a whole makes anyone sound sassy.