BRI, Fate of Chancay Port and Way Forward

2026-02-18 - 01:43

It seems that the whims and wishes of the incumbent US government are attempting to marginalize the Chinese BRI in Latin American countries through the use of overt military power and biased judicial measures. Additionally, the US Administration is striving to reshape the Latin American chessboard by implementing the rule of the jungle and fostering a new world disorder. Consequently, the economic stability, sustainability and infrastructure transformation of all Latin American countries are now at risk, making the prospects of the Chinese BRI appear bleak in this region during 2026. Unfortunately, certain hawkish forces within the US political, social and corporate sectors have already targeted Latin America. Beyond the Panama Canal and Venezuela’s oil, these profit-maximizing agents have openly criticized Peru’s Chancay Port. Conflicting economic interests, combined with financial euphoria under the political banner of “Make America Great Again,” are attempting to seize Peru’s Chancay Port to block Chinese investments and BRI projects. Recently, the Peruvian court delivered a verdict on regulatory jurisdiction. It seems that the US presumes guilt first, then selectively interprets facts to fit its narrative, deliberately portraying normal commercial cooperation and legal procedures as so-called sovereignty transfers. This reflects the classic example of US capitalism-biased justification and economic protectionism, further restricting Chinese presence and mega-projects in Latin America, including ports, railways, energy and digitalization. The US military approach shows blatant disrespect for Peru’s national sovereignty, judicial authority and governance capacity. Located about 80 kilometers north of Lima, Peru’s capital, the Chancay Port is a key BRI project between China and Peru, officially commencing operations on November 14, 2024. The participation of Chinese companies in its construction and operation reflects broad domestic consensus, following repeated reviews and strict legal procedures by relevant Peruvian authorities. The decision was fully compliant, lawful and transparent, standing the test of both history and law. The US statement entirely ignores Peru’s legal process and sovereign decision-making. The latest claims from the US clearly demonstrate its unending hegemonic anxiety and geopolitical calculation in Latin America. From the Panama Canal to Venezuela’s oil and the Chancay Port, Washington’s objective remains consistent: major assets in Latin America must fall under its direct control. Evidently, countries in the region are seen as having no right to independently choose economic and business partners or pursue mutually beneficial cooperation with countries outside the hemisphere, particularly China, Russia and Iran. The US, through various covert measures, attempts to block free will and fair play, forcefully drawing regional nations into its sphere. The US has long prioritized its own interests over those of regional countries, often sacrificing other nations’ sovereignty and development rights to maintain its hegemony. Consequently, Latin America’s economies, communities and enterprises are at risk. It frequently uses perceived threats as a pretext to interfere in and criticize normal international cooperation. Its ultimate aim is to position Latin American countries so that their sovereignty is effectively outsourced to the US, making them dependent on Washington. The Chancay Port has already been recognized by China and Latin America as a “win-win” project, generating numerous mutually beneficial opportunities. Since its opening, one-way shipping time between China and Peru has been reduced to about 23 days, cutting logistics costs by over 20 percent. Comparative studies confirm that cooperation on the Chancay Port serves as a model of mutually beneficial China-Peru collaboration and a vivid example of Latin America’s independent development. The region is no one’s backyard. Countries have every right and the capacity to decide with whom, how and on what terms to cooperate. Rather than spreading alarm and launching smear campaigns, the US should respect the sovereignty and choices of Latin American nations and focus on genuinely benefiting the region’s people and development. Recently, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva published an op-ed in The New York Times titled “This Hemisphere Belongs to All of Us”, emphasizing Latin American countries’ basic interests and dreams and affirming the protection of their sovereignty and territorial integrity. His stance highlights a principal commitment to regional autonomy. The Chancay Port transforms global trade by establishing a direct maritime link between South America and Asia, bypassing traditional hubs such as the Panama Canal. By facilitating the efficient movement of goods across the Pacific, Chancay is poised to become a key node in China’s BRI and a strategic hub for trade expansion. The port is projected to generate $4.5 billion in annual revenue and create over 8,000 jobs, strengthening Peru’s position as a crucial trade partner for China. Latin America’s vast reserves of natural resources, including copper, lithium and agricultural products, are vital for China’s industrial and technological growth. As one of the world’s largest copper exporters, Peru will benefit immensely from the port’s ability to streamline raw material transportation to Chinese industries, reinforcing economic ties between the two regions. In summary, the US Administration has its own agenda, aiming to block Chinese investments in several regions, with Latin America emerging as a major flashpoint. The BRI has become a direct challenge to US expansionist policy, seeking control of key global ports beyond the reach of Chinese projects. From the start of 2026, the US has revived elements of the Monroe Doctrine, presenting political rhetoric as so-called “hemispheric security” and “fight against drug trafficking,” thereby threatening the autonomy of the continent. Beijing appears to be shifting toward smaller, greener and more financially sustainable investments, presenting Peru with economic opportunities. However, rising US pressure also raises concerns over sovereignty and environmental risks. There are fears that the fall of Chancay Port could mark the end of China’s mega-infrastructure era in Latin America. Ultimately, Chancay is more than just a port; it is an indicator for the future of the BRI. Its success or failure will influence how China balances global ambitions with scrutiny and changing economic realities. Chinese policymakers must develop alternative trans-regional strategies to protect mega-projects and the BRI in Latin America. This trend may extend beyond the region to Africa, Central Asia and Southeast Asia. There is an urgent need for China to create a new economic security model to safeguard the BRI and its international economic cooperation.