China’s ties to Latin America have expanded substantially over the course of the 21st century as Beijing’s economic and political clout on the world stage have grown. China’s interest in the region is driven in part by a desire for access to Latin America’s abundant raw materials, such as copper and oil, that it can use to fuel its growth. This month’s edition of the BRI Monitor Policy Brief uses Ecuador as a case study to explore how loans from Beijing have enabled corruption and ensured a continuous flow of oil to China at the expense of Ecuador’s own economic prospects. Ecuador’s experience offers a glimpse into the challenges that other states in the region may face as they expand their own relations with China, providing insight into the type of safeguards governments should consider to maintain the health of their democracies and economies.
