China is making a major effort to establish a military and political toe hold in Latin America. Chinese technicians are at work in Cuba listening to US military communications. Chinese military officers are at a Venezuelan airbase to train local pilots and technicians how to operate new transport planes bought from China. Chinese companies have large holdings and commercial facilities in Panama, some of them very near the canal. Chinese technicians are working at satellite tracking stations in Brazil, gaining skills and knowledge that could one day be used to target US satellites.--Stephen V Cole