SCMP September 2026 Roundup: China Backs Cuba, Ecuador Dam Bribery Case

In a roundup released in September 2026, the South China Morning Post highlighted coverage of Latin American relations by its foreign correspondents, focusing on geopolitical alliances and a historic UN vote. One key point featured Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, asserting China's commitment to support Cuba in maintaining its sovereignty and resisting external pressures, particularly as Washington escalated efforts for political reform in Havana. Another significant item involved former Ecuadorian president Lenin Moreno and a previous Chinese ambassador to Quito, who appealed to the nation's highest court to overturn five-year sentences imposed in late August related to a US$76 million bribery scandal linked to a Belt and Road dam initiative. This summary was based on reports from September 2026.