The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is fostering closer ties with the area frequently referred to as “America’s backyard.”
Washington is concerned that China’s expanding influence in the region indicates that the PRC is using its economic might to achieve its strategic objectives and challenge American primacy.
As General Laura J. Richardson, commander of the United States Southern Command, testified before Congress in March, “The PRC continues its relentless march to expand its economic, diplomatic, technological, informational, and military influence in LAC and challenge U.S. influence in all these areas.”
