China surpasses US as development leader in Latin America

The Latinobarómetro 2026 report indicates that China has surpassed the United States as a primary reference for development in Latin America. According to the study, 36.1% of respondents view China as a development leader, followed by Japan at 31.8% and the United States at 31.5%. While China's influence is perceived as high across much of the region, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic remain the only nations where the positive influence of the United States exceeds that of China.

The report highlights a regional crisis of political representation and democratic stability. It notes that no democracy in Latin America is considered fully consolidated, with Uruguay being a possible exception. In Ecuador, the report identifies high levels of distrust toward political parties and the justice system, with only 11% satisfaction regarding the judiciary.

Separately, the Organization of American States (OAS) unanimously approved a resolution regarding the situation in Nicaragua. The resolution demands the unconditional release of political prisoners, the restoration of civil liberties, and the establishment of conditions for free and fair elections. A ministerial group has been formed to provide diplomatic and legal recommendations within sixty days to address the country's democratic deterioration.