China Grabs Latin America, Well Ahead of Obama’s Outreach

President Barack Obama’s visit to Latin America highlighted China’s expanding role in the continent. China has signed a series of oil deals with Latin American countries even as the US seeks to meet more of its energy needs in Latin America. The biggest challenge for the US might be a proposed “dry canal” across Colombia that would boost China trade for countries along the Atlantic coast and circumvent the US-dominated Panama Canal, which already can’t accommodate the world’s largest oil tankers. Drawing on its history in the region, Spain tries to position itself as a broker between China and Latin America. But flush with cash, ready to assist with infrastructure and strategic planning, China doesn’t need Spain’s connections. If anything, China could soon be refining Latin American oil, helping sell it to the US and other markets. Bogged down in military campaigns across the Atlantic, the US is a distracted neighbor. – YaleGlobal