China backs Cuba, Beijing’s Panama threat, new UN chief: 7 Latin America relations reads

We have selected seven 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. China pledges to ‘firmly support’ Cuba as US escalates pressure on Havana

China will stand by Cuba in defending its sovereignty and resisting outside interference, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said as Washington stepped up its campaign to force political change in Havana.

Read the full story here.

2. Ecuador ex-president, Chinese envoy seek to avoid jail over belt and road dam

Former Ecuadorian president Lenin Moreno and a former Chinese ambassador to Quito asked the country’s highest court to spare them the five-year sentences handed down in late August over a US$76 million bribery scheme.