From a smuggling ring in Chile to rare earth wrangling in Brazil, here are highlights from the SCMP's foreign correspondents in March 2026
Two-minute read compilation of six Latin America stories covering copper smuggling, Cuba support, and BYD labor issues
En resumen
- SCMP compiles six notable Latin America stories: Chile uncovered a US$917 million copper smuggling ring to China over five years; China and Russia expressed support for Cuba amid US pressure; Brazil's labor ministry blacklisted BYD for slave labour conditions.
- The compilation covers diplomatic, criminal, and trade developments across the region.
Resumen generado por IA
Por qué importa
This is a compilation article summarizing six stories from SCMP's foreign correspondents covering Latin American relations with China, Russia, and the US in March 2026. The stories highlight criminal, diplomatic, and labor issues.
We have selected six of the most interesting and important news stories covering Latin American relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Chile exposes smuggling ring that shipped US$917m in stolen copper to China Chinese buyers were the end destination of a five-year smuggling pipeline that drained an estimated US$917 million worth of stolen copper from Chile, authorities said in April after police dismantled the network in one of the largest organised crime operations ever uncovered in the country. Read the full story here.
2. China, Russia rally behind Cuba as US squeezes Havana in deepening crisis China and Russia expressed support for Cuba's embattled government amid mounting pressure from the United States, as Moscow's deputy foreign minister concluded a visit to Havana and Beijing signalled its willingness to step up diplomatic backing for the island. Advertisement Read the full story here.
3. Brazil blacklists China EV giant BYD for its slave labour conditions Brazil's labour ministry added Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD to a registry of employers found to have subjected workers to conditions analogous to slavery, limiting access to state financing and increasing reputational risks in its most important market outside China. Advertisement Advertisement
Preguntas abiertas
- What are the other three stories mentioned in the compilation?
- What specific rare earth developments in Brazil are referenced in the title?
