China keeps Cuba and Uruguay in the fold, puts Panama out in the cold

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Fan ChenFebruary 6, 2026 at 04:00 PM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Cuba and Uruguay have strengthened ties with China, with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla arriving in Beijing this week, followed by Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi, who became the first regional leader to visit China since the US assault on Venezuela in January. This move is part of Beijing's efforts to court top Latin American officials. In contrast, China has taken a tougher stance towards Panama, where it is involved in a dispute over two strategic ports. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assured Rodriguez that Beijing would continue to provide Havana with support "within its capacity". The Chinese government supports Cuba's sovereignty and security, opposes external interference, and prioritizes the Cuban people's right to survival and development. China aims to further consolidate and develop friendly relations with both countries.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Panama ×250% Wang Yi 60% Yamandu Orsi ×270% Uruguay ×270% Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla ×380% Cuba ×380% China ×490%

Keywords

china's support for cuba 90% china's latin america policy 90% panama-china dispute 90% cuba-china relations 80% china's foreign policy 80% uruguay-china ties 70% latin american diplomacy 70%