Trump pick for South America command sidesteps China questions at Senate hearing

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Igor PatrickJanuary 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM

AI Summary

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Lieutenant General Francis Donovan, President Trump's nominee to lead US Southern Command (Southcom), faced questions at his Senate confirmation hearing regarding China's growing influence in Latin America. Senators pressed Donovan on whether the US should prioritize military force to counter Beijing's expansion in the region. Donovan avoided endorsing a military-first approach, instead emphasizing a balanced approach using both "soft" and "hard" power. The hearing occurred amid heightened tensions following the operation to abduct Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and growing concerns about Chinese and Russian engagement in South America. Senators aimed to understand how Southcom would navigate the evolving security landscape and great power competition.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Caribbean 50% Russia 60% Maduro raid 70% Venezuela 70% Senate Armed Services Committee 70% Donald Trump ×280% Latin America ×380% United States ×280% China ×280% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) ×490% United States Southern Command (Southcom) ×490% Francis Donovan ×390%

Keywords

us southern command 90% china influence 80% latin america 80% military strategy 70% great power competition 70% nicolas maduro 60% senate hearing 60% soft power 50% force projection 50%