China backs Cuba, Brazil blacklists BYD over slave labor

As the United States escalates its pressure on Havana, both China and Russia have shown their support for Cuba. This includes a visit from Moscow's deputy foreign minister to Havana and Beijing's indication of enhanced diplomatic backing. In Brazil, the labor ministry has placed Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD on a list of employers accused of creating conditions similar to slavery, which restricts its access to government funding. Meanwhile, in Chile, authorities have dismantled a smuggling operation that funneled approximately US$917 million in stolen copper to Chinese buyers over five years, marking one of the largest organized crime efforts in the nation. These events underscore the intricate relationship China maintains with Latin America as of March 2026, according to SCMP foreign correspondents.