Masked Rivalry

By Beatriz García Nice and Catherine Soltero

The Trump administration spent years bemoaning China’s increasing influence in Latin America, but the COVID-19 pandemic has only amplified Beijing’s role in the region.

Latin America has suffered 30 percent of the world’s coronavirus deaths and a seven percent economic contraction, leaving governments desperate for outside assistance to combat the virus’s health, economic and social shockwaves. From the onset of the pandemic, China saw an opportunity to expand its influence through coronavirus aid. While the United States struggled to control the virus at home, China launched a “mask diplomacy” campaign that involved rapid and large-scale distribution of critical medical supplies, including ventilators and personal protective equipment. Lately, it has also been shipping vaccines to Latin America, earning praise from leaders overwhelmed by the pandemic’s devastating second wave.

Though belatedly, the United States has also responded to Latin America’s pandemic challenges, providing over $250 million through USAID, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Southern Command. Comparisons are difficult given the lack of transparency in China’s assistance programs and the U.S. preference for a multilateral pandemic response, including U.S. funding for vaccine distribution through the World Health Organization’s COVAX program. But it is clear that “medical diplomacy” is shaping Latin America’s international relationships and the images of rival powers. This is especially true in countries including Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Paraguay and Uruguay, which are experiencing the most rapid COVID-19 spread since the start of the pandemic.

To explore the U.S. and Chinese COVID-19 responses in Latin America, visit our Latin American Program interactive database and read our reports by Cynthia Sanborn, Jorge Heine, Haibin Niu, Jean Manes and Annie Pforzheimer.