WASHINGTON — China is using “mask and vaccine diplomacy” to undercut U.S. influence in Latin America by offering coronavirus pandemic support tied to a push for Chinese telecommunications investments in the region, Southern Command chief Adm. Craig Faller warned Congress on Tuesday.
Southern Command estimates that China has so far provided more than $120 million in COVID-19 relief and supplies to Latin America.
China is now moving into a new phase, leveraging its vaccine supply to persuade countries where the United States has provided military and diplomatic support to allow Chinese state-owned telecommunications firm Huawei into their markets, Faller said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
