US threats for new Chile leader, China tariff on Mexico: 7 Latin America relations reads
From Panama Canal woes to an undersea cable scandal in Chile, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026
1. As Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, China has ‘very limited options’
As Washington stepped up rhetoric and pressure on Cuba after the start of its campaign in Iran, Beijing found itself torn between geopolitical reality and ideological affinity.
2. US threats and a Chinese cable scandal mark first day for Chile’s new president
As Jose Antonio Kast prepared for his inauguration, his government’s first crisis was already unfolding behind the scenes, as the US forced Chile to cancel a Chinese undersea cable. The region was left asking who gets to decide what infrastructure Latin America builds.
3. China denies retaliating against Panama ships, accuses Washington of canal grab
China denied that it had intensified inspections of Panama-flagged vessels in retaliation for Panama’s decision to strip a Hong Kong-based conglomerate of port concessions at both ends of the Panama Canal, accusing Washington of seeking to seize control of the strategic waterway.