By Zoila Palma: China’s influence in Latin America is now viewed more positively than that of the United States for the first time since the Latinobarómetro survey began in 1995, according to a new regional poll released this year.
The survey, which covered 17 Latin American countries, found that 65 percent of respondents viewed China’s influence positively, compared to 57 percent for the United States.
Support for China’s influence increased significantly from 48 percent in 2020, while positive views of US influence declined from 60 percent during the same period, AFP reports.
Researchers attributed the shift partly to China’s growing economic presence in the region, particularly through access to cheaper imported goods. Marta Lagos, director of Latinobarómetro, said China had filled an economic gap for consumers, while the United States’ reduced engagement with Latin America over the past two decades had allowed other global powers to strengthen their relationships with the region.
Despite the shift in perceptions of their influence, the United States remains more popular as a country overall, with 63 percent of respondents expressing a favorable view, compared to 58 percent for China.
However, US favorability has declined from 73 percent in 2024.
The 2026 survey was based on approximately 19,200 face-to-face interviews conducted across 17 countries between May 7 and June 17, with a reported margin of error of one percentage point.
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