Francisco Santos outlines how Latin America has become a key battleground in a new global confrontation between authoritarian and democratic blocs. He details China’s economic penetration through the Belt and Road Initiative, Russia’s intelligence and disinformation campaigns, and Iran’s militant networks operating in the region. Santos warns that the West is losing strategic ground as kleptocracy and criminal economies merge with geopolitical influence.

Takeaways:
• Latin America is central to the new Cold War between China-Russia-Iran and the West.
• Chinese investments in ports, power, and infrastructure advance state control, not trade balance.
• Russia and Iran use disinformation, cyber operations, and proxy networks regionwide.
• Criminal, political, and technological kleptocracies are reshaping global influence.
• Businesses must diversify supply chains, manage security risks, and anticipate sanctions regimes.