The People's Republic of China Foreign Impacts on Individual Latin American Countries: A Comparative Analysis of Economic and Security Factors in Panama, Ecuador, and El Salvador
Abstract
This thesis provides a granular analysis of PRC influence in three LAC countries (Panama, Ecuador, and El Salvador), describes ongoing economic and security PRC engagements in those countries, and sketches out future potential risks posed by the PRC to US-LAC partner relations. Unlike most work that takes a regional approach to the question of PRC influence, this research compares specific countries for insight. Each country's economy and diplomatic relationship with the PRC influences the amount of investment. Key findings include major differences in LAC nation response to regional issues these responses either stimulated or stymied PRC investment. Since 2013, the PRC has invested billions of dollars in Ecuador and Panama versus limited PRC investment in El Salvador over the same period. Ecuador's recent bout with violent crime saw increased PRC influence through ECU911 system expansion. El Salvador responded to recent increased violent crime with a militarized response, free from PRC influence. We offer two main recommendations. Economically, we recommend that the US invest more in the energy, infrastructure,mining, and cyber security sectors, which would reinvigorate US FDI relevance and directly counter PRC FDI in LAC. For security, we recommend a special operations officer exchange program that would match previous US security efforts in LAC and develop country-specific officers who could monitor PRC security endeavors in the region.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1224980
Entities
People
- Edwin G Cruz
- Matthew M Vishnevsky
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School