Ron DeSantis, and Sen. Marco Rubio, have criticized the Biden administration for its perceived weakness in countering China’s expanding influence in Latin America. They argue that the United States must take a more assertive stance, including increasing military presence in the region and bolstering alliances with key partners like Peru to push back against CCP aggression.
China’s New Port in Peru: A Strategic Threat to US Security
In response to growing concerns about China’s influence, the Biden administration has pledged to ramp up engagement with Latin American countries and promote democratic values and human rights. In October, Biden announced a $5 billion investment in regional infrastructure projects, including ports, energy, and telecommunications, as part of the “Build Back Better World” initiative. The United States also joined the “Blue Dot Network,” a global infrastructure development initiative aimed at countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
As China continues to expand its presence in Latin America and the Caribbean, the United States faces a critical turning point in its strategic competition with Beijing. The outcome will not only shape the future of U.S. influence in the region but also have far-reaching implications for global power dynamics and security.
Ron DeSantis, and Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), emphasized the critical importance of revitalizing the Monroe Doctrine—a long-standing U.S. policy dating back to 1823 aimed at countering foreign intervention in the Western Hemisphere—in light of escalating threats from the CCP. They cautioned that the Chinese government is intensifying its presence in Latin America by supporting autocratic regimes, penetrating markets, and eroding regional autonomy, thereby directly challenging U.S. national security.
Risch urged the administration to acknowledge the gravity of the situation, stressing that a failure to take action would only heighten America’s susceptibility to risks. He argued that resurrecting the Monroe Doctrine is not merely a nod to history but a fundamental necessity for contemporary security concerns.
Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed in this piece are the personal opinions of the author and may not necessarily align with those of The Epoch Times.
