Advertisement
Can Peru keep both China and US onside in an increasingly volatile environment?
Its mineral resources make it a focus for superpower rivalry, but analysts say the country is in a very different situation to Venezuela
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Cao Jiaxuanin Beijing
Last weekend’s US raid on Venezuela has shone a spotlight on the wider strategic concerns in play in South America, including the US-China rivalry in countries such as Peru.
The country is a key hub for mineral exports to Asian markets, but it has tried to maintain a balance between Beijing and Washington.
China has funded a strategically important port on Peru’s Pacific coast, but it has remained “broadly aligned” with US interests, according to analysts. Washington also regards it as part of its “western hemisphere backyard” when it comes to law enforcement and anti-drugs operations.
Advertisement
Despite Peru’s increasingly chaotic politics, diplomatic observers said there were fundamental differences with Venezuela that reduced the chance of outside intervention.
Jiang Shixue, director of the Centre for Latin American Studies at Shanghai University, said the likelihood of Peru becoming a “second Venezuela” remained low. “Lima has not adopted a strongly anti-American stance and it is unlikely to do so,” he said.
Advertisement
Following the abduction of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, Peru called for a “prompt political solution and democratic transition” in Venezuela, but avoided direct criticism of the United States.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x