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Chile

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Chile. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Santiago

Head of State

President Gabriel Boric

Head of Government

President Gabriel Boric

Aerial view of new BYD cars at the Zarate Port on the Parana River in Zarate, Argentina, in January. Photo: AFP

China-Latin America relations

China’s BYD considering lithium battery plant in Argentina, foreign minister says

Pablo Quirno spoke after meeting BYD’s executive vice-president Stella Li, as EV car maker seeks investment opportunities in Argentina.

9 Oct 2026 - 2:40AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

China backs Cuba, Beijing’s Panama threat: 7 Latin America relations reads

1 Oct 2026 - 10:00PM

China-Latin America relations

Exclusive | China set to decide if Costa Rican or Guyanese becomes first woman UN chief

26 Sep 2026 - 1:38AM

Americas and the Caribbean

18 suspects in 2021 Haiti president’s killing sent to US for trial

Suspects flown to Florida as US prosecutors expand case over mercenary plot against Jovenel Moise.

21 Sep 2026 - 12:09PM

Suspects in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise being escorted to a court hearing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in May. Photo: AP

US-China relations

China edges US, EU on AI regulation trust in middle-income countries: Pew survey

US think tank study finds middle-income countries have ‘more positive views of China’ when it comes to regulating AI effectively.

18 Sep 2026 - 2:49AMvideocam

The Philippines

Bodies from Philippine ferry arrive at port after fire killed at least 76

There were 43 survivors among the 132 people on board.

12 Sep 2026 - 9:32PM

Commodities

Copper rally sets record LME price as US tariff fears fuel supply ‘scramble’

Inventories of the metal are diverging across major exchanges as AI infrastructure build-up spurs demand and potential trade restrictions keep prices elevated.

8 Sep 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

A worker prepares copper rod products for transport at a workshop in China’s Jiangsu province earlier this year. Photo: Xinhua

China-Latin America relations

Chile fines Chinese mafia inmate after cocaine found at maximum-security prison

Prosecutors link the inmate to a Chinese criminal network targeted in a major police operation last year and a second raid in June.

1 Sep 2026 - 4:41AM

The Philippines

Philippines stakes claim as Latin America’s gateway to Asean

Shared history offers an edge, but analysts say the Philippines must deliver more than nostalgia to rival Singapore or Vietnam.

24 Aug 2026 - 4:40PMvideocam

Extreme weather

Panama Canal to reduce shipping over El Nino-fuelled drought

Further restrictions on the Atlantic-Pacific waterway are likely due to low water levels in artificial lakes that feed the canal.

23 Aug 2026 - 7:11AM

Cargo ships wait to transit the Panama Canal on the Pacific side, in Panama City in March. The Panama Canal will reduce shipping volumes from next month because of a drought fuelled by the El Nino phenomenon. Photo: AFP

China-Latin America relations

US accuses 9 Latin American countries of helping China avoid Trump’s tariffs

More than 40 countries targeted for helping Beijing illegally avoid tariffs by rerouting trade via nations with lower American import duties.

14 Aug 2026 - 7:34AMvideocam

Chinese container ship Cosco Shipping Rose docks at the Panama Canal’s Cocoli locks in Panama City. The White House has accused nine Latin American economies of helping Beijing illegally evade US tariffs by rerouting trade through countries with lower US import duties. Photo: AP

China exports

Beyond compliance: zero-carbon estates give China’s battery makers a global edge

With the EU’s binding carbon cap taking effect as early as 2028, the route to compliance for Chinese firms could offer a long-term advantage.

7 Aug 2026 - 9:42PM

China trade

Opinion | Why China’s trade partners may question value of economic integration

Both Beijing and its economic partners must ask whether expanding trade strengthens domestic productive capacity and improves long-term competitiveness.

7 Aug 2026 - 5:17PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Bachelet-led panel urges Latin America not to choose sides in US-China rivalry

ECLAC commission says the region should leverage critical minerals but recognises limits imposed by US security dominance.

5 Aug 2026 - 5:56AMvideocam

From left, former Colombian president Ivan Duque, former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and ECLAC executive secretary Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs present the commission’s report in Santiago. Photo: ECLAC

China-Latin America relations

Cuban spy-base allegations, new Trump tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads

From global soybean market updates to China’s best trade partners, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in July 2026.

4 Aug 2026 - 10:00PM

The Havana Capitol is seen reflected in a puddle on July 11. Photo: AFP

Venezuela

In message from US jail, Maduro weighs in on Venezuela transition talks

Ex-president calls for ‘reconciliation’ ahead of US-backed meetings between the interim government and opposition.

3 Aug 2026 - 10:23AM

China-Latin America relations

Chile’s Kast courts China day after US hits exports with forced labour tariff

Chilean president, who campaigned on aligning Chile with Trump, meets Beijing delegation as his party claims Washington cannot be trusted.

1 Aug 2026 - 9:57AMvideocam

Japan

US-led drills edge Japan and South Korea closer on defence

Command roles at Rimpac show Tokyo and Seoul can work together militarily, but history caps how far ties can go.

4 Aug 2026 - 6:40PM

A team is seen at mission control console inside a South Korean maritime patrol aircraft during a joint exercise as part of the 2026 Rimpac exercise near Honolulu. Photo: The Korea Times

US-China relations

Selection for next UN chief gets under way with Grynspan early front runner

United Nations Security Council started the process on Thursday to pick its new secretary general as successor to Antonio Guterres.

1 Aug 2026 - 3:19AMvideocam

US-China relations

What does deeper tech integration during US-led Rimpac mean for China?

Forces from 30 countries joined the US military for the world’s largest maritime drills, with uncrewed systems playing an active role.

29 Jul 2026 - 1:28PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s TDC to open Egypt office as it eyes African, Nordic markets

Trade Development Council has revamped corporate structure to better help firms in six new industry clusters, chairman Frederick Ma says.

24 Jul 2026 - 11:11PM

A view of the Pyramids of Giza on the southwestern outskirts of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Photo: AFP

United Nations

UN leader candidates pitch visions to save world body in crisis

With a week before initial voting begins, six hopefuls make their case to replace Antonio Guterres.

24 Jul 2026 - 2:35PM

The six declared candidates vying to succeed UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Photo: Reuters

China-Latin America relations

Chile wants US$100 billion to break China’s grip on its copper

Chile’s foreign minister says the copper market is too concentrated, but refining more at home means competing with Chinese smelters.

23 Jul 2026 - 6:02AMvideocam

United States

USDA lowers reported beef export sales by 90% amid growing doubts over data

The original report was widely dismissed as inaccurate, amid concerns over the agency’s big staff cuts under the Trump administration.

10 Jul 2026 - 4:45AM

Venezuela

Venezuela quakes survivor shares ordeal after 8 days buried alive

Security guard recalls surviving darkness, aftershocks and walls shifting before his miraculous rescue from a collapsed building.

6 Jul 2026 - 3:40PMvideocam

Hernan Gil, who survived for nearly eight days beneath the rubble. Photo: AFP

Singapore

Asian Angle | Singapore’s trade pacts prove small states can shape global rules

While major powers employ coercion, Singapore is using flexible, legally binding templates to keep trade open.

4 Jul 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong sign a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement during a meeting in Canberra on October 8, 2025. Photo: EPA

Americas and the Caribbean

New ghost shark species may have been found in Costa Rica

Scientists say the latest discovery has a ‘shorter’ snout, a ‘darker coloration pattern’ and a ‘much longer spine on its dorsal fin’.

4 Jul 2026 - 10:30AM

Natural disasters

‘Truly a miracle’: man rescued from Venezuela rubble 8 days after twin quakes

Multinational teams tunnel through collapsed building to extract security guard as the death toll continues to rise.

3 Jul 2026 - 4:15PMvideocam

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Chile

China’s BYD considering lithium battery plant in Argentina, foreign minister says

Pablo Quirno spoke after meeting BYD’s executive vice-president Stella Li, as EV car maker seeks investment opportunities in Argentina.

China backs Cuba, Beijing’s Panama threat: 7 Latin America relations reads

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | China set to decide if Costa Rican or Guyanese becomes first woman UN chief

18 suspects in 2021 Haiti president’s killing sent to US for trial

Suspects flown to Florida as US prosecutors expand case over mercenary plot against Jovenel Moise.

China edges US, EU on AI regulation trust in middle-income countries: Pew survey

US think tank study finds middle-income countries have ‘more positive views of China’ when it comes to regulating AI effectively.

Bodies from Philippine ferry arrive at port after fire killed at least 76

There were 43 survivors among the 132 people on board.

Copper rally sets record LME price as US tariff fears fuel supply ‘scramble’

Inventories of the metal are diverging across major exchanges as AI infrastructure build-up spurs demand and potential trade restrictions keep prices elevated.

Chile fines Chinese mafia inmate after cocaine found at maximum-security prison

Prosecutors link the inmate to a Chinese criminal network targeted in a major police operation last year and a second raid in June.

Philippines stakes claim as Latin America’s gateway to Asean

Shared history offers an edge, but analysts say the Philippines must deliver more than nostalgia to rival Singapore or Vietnam.

Panama Canal to reduce shipping over El Nino-fuelled drought

Further restrictions on the Atlantic-Pacific waterway are likely due to low water levels in artificial lakes that feed the canal.

US accuses 9 Latin American countries of helping China avoid Trump’s tariffs

More than 40 countries targeted for helping Beijing illegally avoid tariffs by rerouting trade via nations with lower American import duties.

Beyond compliance: zero-carbon estates give China’s battery makers a global edge

With the EU’s binding carbon cap taking effect as early as 2028, the route to compliance for Chinese firms could offer a long-term advantage.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why China’s trade partners may question value of economic integration

Both Beijing and its economic partners must ask whether expanding trade strengthens domestic productive capacity and improves long-term competitiveness.

Bachelet-led panel urges Latin America not to choose sides in US-China rivalry

ECLAC commission says the region should leverage critical minerals but recognises limits imposed by US security dominance.

Cuban spy-base allegations, new Trump tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads

From global soybean market updates to China’s best trade partners, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in July 2026.

In message from US jail, Maduro weighs in on Venezuela transition talks

Ex-president calls for ‘reconciliation’ ahead of US-backed meetings between the interim government and opposition.

Chile’s Kast courts China day after US hits exports with forced labour tariff

Chilean president, who campaigned on aligning Chile with Trump, meets Beijing delegation as his party claims Washington cannot be trusted.

US-led drills edge Japan and South Korea closer on defence

Command roles at Rimpac show Tokyo and Seoul can work together militarily, but history caps how far ties can go.

Selection for next UN chief gets under way with Grynspan early front runner

United Nations Security Council started the process on Thursday to pick its new secretary general as successor to Antonio Guterres.

What does deeper tech integration during US-led Rimpac mean for China?

Forces from 30 countries joined the US military for the world’s largest maritime drills, with uncrewed systems playing an active role.

Hong Kong’s TDC to open Egypt office as it eyes African, Nordic markets

Trade Development Council has revamped corporate structure to better help firms in six new industry clusters, chairman Frederick Ma says.

UN leader candidates pitch visions to save world body in crisis

With a week before initial voting begins, six hopefuls make their case to replace Antonio Guterres.

Chile wants US$100 billion to break China’s grip on its copper

Chile’s foreign minister says the copper market is too concentrated, but refining more at home means competing with Chinese smelters.

USDA lowers reported beef export sales by 90% amid growing doubts over data

The original report was widely dismissed as inaccurate, amid concerns over the agency’s big staff cuts under the Trump administration.

Venezuela quakes survivor shares ordeal after 8 days buried alive

Security guard recalls surviving darkness, aftershocks and walls shifting before his miraculous rescue from a collapsed building.

Asian Angle | Singapore’s trade pacts prove small states can shape global rules

While major powers employ coercion, Singapore is using flexible, legally binding templates to keep trade open.

New ghost shark species may have been found in Costa Rica

Scientists say the latest discovery has a ‘shorter’ snout, a ‘darker coloration pattern’ and a ‘much longer spine on its dorsal fin’.

‘Truly a miracle’: man rescued from Venezuela rubble 8 days after twin quakes

Multinational teams tunnel through collapsed building to extract security guard as the death toll continues to rise.

Exclusive | China set to decide if Costa Rican or Guyanese becomes first woman UN chief

Opinion | Why China’s trade partners may question value of economic integration