Russia and China are trying to compete with the U.S. for influence in Latin America, according to the commander of the U.S. Southern Command.
Russia and China are vying for influence in Latin America against the U.S., according to the commander of the U.S. Southern Command.
Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado last week, Army General Laura J. Richardson highlighted Russia’s growing economic and diplomatic ties with countries in the region, as well as China’s Belt and Road Initiative expanding throughout Latin America.

At the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado last week, General Laura J. Richardson emphasized Russia’s increasing economic and diplomatic connections with regional countries, along with China’s expanding Belt and Road Initiative in Latin America.
«I would say China is playing chess: it has a long-term vision, it’s setting the stage,» she said, pointing to the 25 Latin American countries that have already joined its global infrastructure development plan.

«I’d say China is playing chess: it has a long-term vision and is setting the stage,» she noted, referring to the 25 Latin American countries that have already joined its global infrastructure development plan.
Richardson said China’s investments «cover almost the entire region,» in projects ranging from metro stations to railways, telecommunications, and dams «under the guise of the economy.»

Richardson mentioned that China’s investments «span almost the entire region,» with projects ranging from metro stations to railways, telecommunications, and dams, all «under the guise of the economy.»
She expressed particular concern over China’s investments in critical infrastructure, such as deep-water ports, cybersecurity, energy, and space, which are being used for military purposes.

She voiced specific concerns about China’s investments in critical infrastructure, including deep-water ports, cybersecurity, energy, and space, being used for military purposes.
«This is a global problem,» she added.
«This is a global issue,» she added.
While China is «playing chess,» Richardson said Russia is «playing checkers.»
Richardson stated that while China is «playing chess,» Russia is «playing checkers.»

She cited Russia’s short-term goals of destabilizing the U.S. democratic system through media, as well as its diplomatic ties.
She highlighted Russia’s short-term objectives of destabilizing the U.S. democratic system through media and its diplomatic connections.
Russian officials visited Nicaragua and Cuba last week, and Russian observers will be in Venezuela for the upcoming presidential elections on July 28, said Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, to Interfax-Russia.

Last week, Russian officials visited Nicaragua and Cuba, and Russian observers will be in Venezuela for the presidential elections on July 28, according to Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, speaking to Interfax-Russia.
According to a report from the Institute for the Study of War, this is likely part of ongoing Kremlin efforts to project its influence in the Western Hemisphere and unite states against the U.S. and the West.

A report from the Institute for the Study of War suggests this is likely part of the Kremlin’s ongoing efforts to project its influence in the Western Hemisphere and rally states against the U.S. and the West.
Belarus, a close ally of Russia, also visited Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua to sign bilateral economic and trade agreements, possibly as part of Russia’s plans to use Belarus to circumvent Western sanctions, ISW noted.

ISW noted that Belarus, a close Russian ally, also visited Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua to sign bilateral economic and trade agreements, potentially as part of Russia’s plans to use Belarus to evade Western sanctions.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has suffered from «southern blindness» and has overlooked the region, Richardson said.
On the other hand, the U.S. has suffered from «southern blindness» and has neglected the region, Richardson commented.

«We need to realize how resource-rich this neighborhood is and how close our competitors and adversaries are in the region,» she told the forum attendees.
«We need to recognize how resource-rich this neighborhood is and how close our competitors and adversaries are in the region,» she told the forum attendees.

In his testimony before Congress in 2021, Admiral Craig Faller, then commander of SOUTHCOM, said his command was partnering with the U.S. Special Operations Command to counter Russian and Chinese information operations aimed at shaping local perspectives in their favor.
In his 2021 testimony before Congress, Admiral Craig Faller, then commander of SOUTHCOM, mentioned that his command was collaborating with the U.S. Special Operations Command to counter Russian and Chinese information operations designed to shape local perspectives in their favor.

Kevin Riehle, a former FBI counterintelligence officer, told BI last December that Russia was using South America to obtain false identities for its spies.
Kevin Riehle, a former FBI counterintelligence officer, told BI last December that Russia was utilizing South America to acquire false identities for its spies.

And in a report last month, the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies identified possible spy bases in Cuba believed to be linked to China.
Additionally, a report last month from the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies identified potential spy bases in Cuba that are believed to be connected to China.

Daniel P. Erikson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Western Hemisphere, also warned about Chinese and Russian threats in Latin America at an Atlantic Council event in February.
Daniel P. Erikson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Western Hemisphere, also warned about Chinese and Russian threats in Latin America during an Atlantic Council event in February.

Erikson said it was «critical» for the U.S. to engage with the region, whether in defense, cybersecurity, or other areas, to meet the basic national security needs of the countries there.
Erikson stated that it is «essential» for the U.S. to engage with the region, whether in defense, cybersecurity, or other areas, to address the basic national security needs of the countries there.

«I also think that the entire U.S. industry really needs to delve into what we can do to provide Latin American and Caribbean countries with the capabilities they need at a price they can afford,» he added.
«I also believe that the entire U.S. industry needs to explore what we can do to offer Latin American and Caribbean countries the capabilities they need at an affordable price,» he added.

Evan Ellis, research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute, said that given the region’s importance, the U.S. Southern Command has dedicated «very» few resources to it.
Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute, stated that considering the region’s importance, the U.S. Southern Command has allocated «very few» resources to it.

Ellis, who previously worked on the Secretary of State’s policy planning staff with responsibility for Latin America and the Caribbean, said the lack of resources might reflect a focus on the Indo-Pacific due to China’s growing power and aggression in the region, as well as U.S. attention to other regions, including the Middle East and Ukraine.
Ellis, who previously worked on the Secretary of State’s policy planning team for Latin America and the Caribbean, suggested that the lack of resources might reflect a focus on the Indo-Pacific due to China’s increasing power and aggression in that region, as well as U.S. attention to other areas, including the Middle East and Ukraine.

Latin America, in the post-Cold War era, has not seen major wars, the prospect of nuclear weapons, or U.S. rivals seeking to establish military bases and alliances directly, he said.
Latin America, in the post-Cold War era, has not experienced major wars, the threat of nuclear weapons, or U.S. rivals attempting to establish military bases and alliances directly, he explained.

«However, Latin America’s economic needs and weak governance in many cases have opened the door to predatory and non-transparent agreements, particularly with the People’s Republic of China, which has expanded its influence,» he said, using the initials PRC.
«However, Latin America’s economic needs and weak governance in many cases have allowed predatory and non-transparent agreements, especially with the People’s Republic of China, which has expanded its influence,» he stated, using the initials PRC.

Meanwhile, «authoritarian regimes in some states, such as Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, have also been willing to open their doors to Russia and Iran, which pose strategic threats to the U.S.,» he said.
At the same time, «authoritarian regimes in some states, like Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, have also been willing to welcome Russia and Iran, which pose strategic threats to the U.S.,» he mentioned.