Latin American governments beset by fiscal, economic and social crises will be tempted to accept bailouts and loan-based projects disproportionately benefitting Chinese companies that they would not have previously considered. The resurgence of the Latin American political left, already seen in Argentina and Bolivia, and the entrenchment of the Maduro regime in Venezuela, possibly bolstered by leftist victories in elections in Ecuador in February and Peru in April 2021, will further broaden China’s opportunities.

[Video] The Foreign Policy Research Institute hosts Dr. Evan Ellis for a discussion of U.S. policy towards Latin America. As the Biden administration prepares to take charge, they will inherit a challenging situation in the region.

The strategic position of the Caribbean as the southeastern maritime border of the United States and its link to U.S. commercial and security priorities gives Washington an interest in containing Chinese influence in the Caribbean. All of this potential engagement, however, could be jeopardized should Caribbean governments continue ramping up their security relationship with China.