# US-China diplomatic tensions in Latin America > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-china-diplomatic-tensions-in-latin-america > Updated: 2026-10-31T22:20:27.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2. Diplomatic friction between the United States and China has intensified across Latin America, involving accusations regarding regional security and cybersecurity. In Mexico, the Chinese Embassy issued a formal rejection of statements made by US Ambassador Ronald Johnson and Deputy Assistant Secretary Ricardo Pita Macedo. The embassy accused the US officials of distorting the truth and attempting to damage China-Mexico relations after Johnson suggested China might benefit from instability on the US-Mexico border. China countered by attributing criminal violence in the region to US drug demand and illegal weapon flows. In Panama, US Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera accused actors linked to China of conducting cyberespionage operations against Latin American entities, citing research into a campaign attributed to the group FamousSparrow. The Chinese Embassy in Panama rejected these claims as defamatory, describing the United States as an “empire of hackers” and accusing Washington of using cybersecurity issues to discredit China. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-31: US Ambassador accuses China of cyberespionage in Latin America US Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera accused China-linked actors of cyberespionage in Latin America, prompting a rejection from the Chinese Embassy. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-ambassador-accuses-china-of-cyberespionage-in-latin-america ### 2026-10-30: China accuses US Ambassador to Mexico of sowing discord China's embassy in Mexico has rejected claims by US Ambassador Ronald Johnson that China benefits from border instability, accusing Washington of attempting to sow discord between China and Mexico. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-rejects-us-claims-regarding-mexico-relations --- Cite as: US-China diplomatic tensions in Latin America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-china-diplomatic-tensions-in-latin-america