What's ahead for China's Latin America Ties in the Great Power Game?

What's ahead for China's Latin America Ties in the Great Power Game?

Author: AS/COA Online, Council of the Americas, Americas Society, Carin Zissis January 29, 2026 Duration: 32:50
The Trump’s administration national security strategy was the talk of the foreign policy world late last year, not least of all because it renewed Washington’s focus on the Americas. But a few days later, China released its own policy paper focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean. But then the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro of January 3 upended the hemispheric chessboard. Parsifal D’Sola Alvarado of the Andrés Bello Foundation for China and Latin America Research joined AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis to talk about why this new era marks an end of what he calls “cheap ambiguity” for hemispheric countries figuring out how to juggle ties with the two great powers. He explains what we can glean from China’s reaction to U.S. moves in Venezuela; how countries such as Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico been adjusting their approach to Beijing; and why Latin America needs to get its own China strategy up and running.

Latin America in Focus is a production of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, offering a nuanced look at the forces shaping the region. This podcast moves beyond headlines to explore the interconnected stories of policy, markets, and societal change. Each episode features conversations with policymakers, analysts, and on-the-ground experts, providing context to complex issues like trade agreements, electoral shifts, and cultural movements. Listeners gain a clearer understanding of the business climate, investment opportunities, and the political dynamics influencing daily life from Mexico to Argentina. The discussion is grounded in research and a deep network of regional knowledge, aiming to connect global audiences to the pivotal trends redefining Latin America. Whether examining a new regulatory framework, the impact of a social movement, or the economic prospects of a specific industry, the analysis is both rigorous and accessible. Tune in for a thoughtful and forward-looking perspective that treats the region not as a monolith, but as a diverse collection of nations each with its own narrative. This podcast serves as an essential resource for anyone looking to deepen their comprehension of a rapidly evolving part of the world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Latin America in Focus
Podcast Episodes
Financing Venezuela’s Future in the Aftermath of Disaster [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:54
The double earthquakes of June 24 accentuated a year of profound change in Venezuela. What was already a significant undertaking by the interim government in collaboration with the U.S. administration to address years of…
What Will Keiko Fujimori Face as President of Peru? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:59
On her fourth attempt, Keiko Fujimori is set to finally become Peru’s president. The right-wing former congresswoman will enter the presidential palace having bested her opponent, leftist lawmaker Roberto Sánchez, with j…
Jorge Castañeda on the Frictions Straining U.S.-Mexico Ties [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:47
From Mexico’s Cuba ties to Washington's persistent tariff pledges, points of friction keep coming up between Mexico and the United States, reaching a crescendo last month when the U.S. Department of Justice indicted 10 M…
What Trump and Lula Want from U.S.-Brazil Ties [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:19
After months of tensions, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Donald Trump emerged from a May meeting at the White House smiling for the cameras. The leaders, both facing critical elections,…
Mercosur, EU, and the New Frontiers of Free Trade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:54
On May 1, a transatlantic trade deal covering 31 countries and a quarter of global GDP comes into effect. Some thought it would never materialize, but after 25 years of off-and-on negotiations, Mercosur and the European…
The Math Behind Cartel Recruitment in Mexico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:44
After a February military operation led to the death of Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera, Mexican authorities searched the cartel leader’s cabin and uncovered logs showing that low-level members of El Mencho’s Jalisco…
What's on the Trade Menu? Beef [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:35
When the United States and Argentina signed a bilateral trade deal in February, one part of the agreement turned heads: Washington would be quadrupling the amount of tariff-free beef it would allow to be imported from th…