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SCMP

We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering Latin American relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. As Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, China has ‘very limited options’

As Washington stepped up rhetoric and pressure on Cuba after the start of its campaign in Iran, Beijing found itself torn between geopolitical reality and ideological affinity.
Read the full story here.
2. US threats and a Chinese cable scandal mark first day for Chile’s new president

As Jose Antonio Kast prepared for his inauguration, his government’s first crisis was already unfolding behind the scenes, as the US forced Chile to cancel a Chinese undersea cable. The region was left asking who gets to decide what infrastructure Latin America builds.
Read the full story here.
3. China denies retaliating against Panama ships, accuses Washington of canal grab

China denied that it had intensified inspections of Panama-flagged vessels in retaliation for Panama’s decision to strip a Hong Kong-based conglomerate of port concessions at both ends of the Panama Canal, accusing Washington of seeking to seize control of the strategic waterway.
Read the full story here.
4. US tracks 23 Chinese port projects in Latin America, general tells Congress

The US military started monitoring 23 Chinese port projects and 12 space-enabling facilities across Latin America and said every one of them could be “a potential dual-use asset” that could support Chinese military operations.
Read the full story here.
5. China wants Brazil’s biggest port terminal. Washington just said no

According to officials, Washington did not want a Chinese company to win the concession for a major container terminal in Santos, the largest port in Latin America, in the latest sign that the race for one of Brazil’s most prized infrastructure assets has become a front in the broader rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
Read the full story here.
6. China threatens Mexico with trade reprisals over 50% import duties

China warned Mexico it could impose retaliatory measures after concluding a formal investigation into tariffs imposed on more than 1,400 categories of Asian goods, complicating Mexico’s negotiations to renew its trade agreement with the United States.
Read the full story here.
7. Amid China cable fallout, Chile’s president ends term, calls for unity

Outgoing Chilean president Gabriel Boric left La Moneda presidential palace for the last time in March, ending a four-year term with a call for national unity that most observers took as a reference to the Chinese undersea cable dispute that defined his final weeks in office.
Read the full story here.


US trade chief pressed Brazil to review Anglo American nickel sale to China

Beijing threatens ‘serious consequences’ after Panama lawmakers support Taiwan

J.D. Vance group courted Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro over anti-China rare earth deal: report

China rebuts top US diplomat Marco Rubio over ‘Communist Party-backed projects’ in Peru

China-Latin America relations

US threats for new Chile leader, China tariff on Mexico: 7 Latin America relations reads

Chile’s President Jose Antonio Kast greets supporters. Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

Photo: Reuters 

Photo: EPA

Photo: Handout

Panama anger, China-linked crime, ousted Peru president: 7 Latin America relations reads

In February, Peru ousted President Jose Jeri over alleged secret meetings with a Chinese firm. Photo: AFP

Photo: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Photo: Shutterstock

Treasury chief says US seeks ‘fair’ China competition, eyes Latin America realignment

Scott Bessent has outlined Washington’s approach to managing economic risks with China while expanding engagement in Latin America. Photo: Getty Images

China keeps Cuba and Uruguay in the fold, puts Panama out in the cold

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirm their countries’ ties in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

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From Panama Canal woes to an undersea cable scandal in Chile, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026


From Panama Canal woes to an undersea cable scandal in Chile, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026.


US threats for new Chile leader, China tariff on Mexico: 7 Latin America relations reads

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From Panama Canal woes to an undersea cable scandal in Chile, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026

1. As Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, China has ‘very limited options’

2. US threats and a Chinese cable scandal mark first day for Chile’s new president

From Panama Canal woes to an undersea cable scandal in Chile, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026