CHINA'S INVESTMENTS IN LATIN AMERICA BREACH THE US 'RED ZONE'

U.S. Chief Southern Command warned on Friday that China is "in the'red zone,"" its economic programs could easily be changed to support a Chinese military presence

General Laura Richardson of the US Southern Command, China is enlarging its infrastructure in Latin American nations as part of its controversial Belt and Road Initiative, drawing closer to the US. The Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., quoted SOUTHCOM General Laura Richardson as saying, “They are on the 20-yard line to our homeland,” in reference to how close China is to scoring on the United States in American football. Or, she said, “we could say they’re on the first or second island chain to our home.” Richardson noted that Beijing has not yet created a true military outpost in the Western Hemisphere, in line with other US military officials.