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For decades considered a secondary geopolitical space, Latin America is once again at the center of international politics. Experts suggest 2026 could prove a pivotal year for the continent, as major global powers increasingly assert their interests in the region. This shift comes as the United States adopts a firmer stance, while China expands its economic footprint, creating a complex dynamic with implications far beyond Latin America.

The resurgence of strategic considerations in the region is prompting a reassessment of long-held assumptions about influence and control. Security concerns – including migration, drug trafficking, border control, and the containment of authoritarian trends – are now dominating the agenda. Simultaneously, trade policy is being wielded as a geopolitical tool, with tariffs, renegotiated agreements, and strategic partnerships echoing a classic power dynamic.

Analysts note that the current U.S. Approach isn’t necessarily a departure from historical precedent, but rather a return to it. Since the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, the United States has consistently viewed the Western Hemisphere as vital to its security interests, often intervening politically and exerting influence. The difference today, according to observers, lies in a more direct, less normative, and explicitly strategic tone.

The recent actions of the United States in Venezuela, specifically regarding the pursuit of Nicolás Maduro, highlight this evolving approach. Lisa-Marie Geltinger, a research assistant at the University of Regensburg and associated with the Center for Middle East and Global Order in Berlin (CMEG), suggests that while such interventions may be considered illegal under international law, they are “politically legitimate.”

Underlying this renewed focus is the systemic rivalry between the United States and China – and, indirectly, Russia. Major powers rarely tolerate strategic competitors within their spheres of influence, and this logic often outweighs moral considerations in shaping regional policy. Geltinger cautioned that while China and Russia currently lack military bases in Latin America, their economic ties and presence in key ports could potentially translate into military action, transforming a perceived risk into a real threat.

China’s expanding presence in Latin America is a key factor driving this geopolitical shift. Investments in ports, energy projects, infrastructure, and the exploitation of natural resources are creating modern dependencies. Resources like lithium and copper, crucial for electric mobility, digitalization, and military technologies, are particularly significant. China has already surpassed the United States as the primary trading partner for most South American countries, a trend that continues to accelerate.

While Chinese capital is attractive to many Latin American nations due to its speed and lack of stringent political conditions, this economic presence can translate into strategic influence. From Washington’s perspective, this represents a risk extending beyond mere commerce. Latin America is becoming a stage for global competition that is structural rather than ideological.

Migration, Drugs, and Structural Crises

Migration remains a critical issue, with increasingly restrictive deportation policies and the externalization of border control reshaping regional dynamics. Simultaneously, the trafficking of synthetic drugs like fentanyl is exacerbating security tensions. However, these challenges cannot be viewed in isolation; they are deeply intertwined with persistent structural inequalities, weak institutions, and economic dependencies.

Democratic Challenges in the Region

Internal political tensions are also mounting across several Latin American countries, with expansions of executive power, increased political polarization, and growing challenges to democratic institutions. Professor Günther Maihold of the Free University of Berlin describes the region as undergoing a “critical juncture,” where current decisions could define long-term political trajectories. Elections in major countries like Brazil and Peru could be particularly consequential, with the potential to either consolidate stable democracies or reinforce authoritarian tendencies.

Latin America faces a dual challenge: strategically positioning itself in a multipolar world while simultaneously strengthening its internal structures. As Maihold emphasizes, neither Washington nor Beijing will unilaterally determine the region’s future. The ability of Latin American nations to preserve their agency will be decisive.

The year 2026 could mark a turning point, signaling the end of Latin America’s role as a periphery and its emergence as a key strategic space in the 21st century. This transformation requires a delicate balance between navigating external influences and asserting regional autonomy.

What comes next will depend on the choices made by Latin American nations themselves. The region’s ability to forge a cohesive path forward will shape not only its own destiny but also the broader geopolitical landscape.

What are your thoughts on the increasing geopolitical competition in Latin America? Share your insights in the comments below.