Westside Story Caribbean Connection
A choreographer's heritage brings a Caribbean flavor to West Side StoryWhen Patricia Lucía Delgado, (center in picture to the left) the associate choreographer for the new movie version of "West Side Story," was trying to get a group of Latino dancers playing members of the Sharks gang to move a certain way, she thought of the perfect imagery.
Delgado brought the Caribbean touch to the dancers playing Puerto Rican gang members. Contrary to the original 1961 movie — which Delgado said is a masterwork in its own right — she proudly pointed out they intentionally cast only Latino dancers to play the Sharks in this iteration of the film.
Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy Overview - December 2021
The United States maintains strong linkages with neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) based on geographic proximity and diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns.Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a long-standing component of relations, involving close cooperation with Mexico, Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean. The United States is a major trading partner and source of foreign investment for many of the 33 countries in LAC, with free-trade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11 countries..
China's Engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean
As the People's Republic of China (PRC) has increased its engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) over the past 20 years, U.S. policymakers have raised questions regarding potential implications for U.S. interests in the region. China's engagement with the region has grown significantly since 2001, particularly in terms of diplomatic and economic ties. This growth reflects China’s global "soft power" efforts and "influence operations" worldwide. A succession of Chinese leaders and other officials have visited the region to court governments. In turn, regional leaders and officials have frequently visited China. The PRC has signed various bilateral partnership agreements with countries throughout LAC, including "comprehensive strategic partnerships" with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela.
China's diplomatic efforts include being an observer at the Organization of American States, a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Development Bank, and a participant in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. China has sold Coronavirus Disease 2019 vaccines and has provided medical assistance and loans to pay for vaccines to about a dozen countries in LAC. China and the United States are the leading suppliers of vaccines to the region, according to Wilson Center data.
The President Joe Biden Administration's Interim National Security Strategic Guidance, issued in March 2021, describes China as a strategic competitor and asserts that the Administration will work to reinvigorate and modernize U.S. alliances and partnerships around the world. The guidance notes that the United States will confront China when its behavior threatens U.S interests and values. In the context of strategic competition with China, President Biden and G-7 leaders agreed in June 2021 to launch a global infrastructure initiative, Build Back Better World (B3W), to advance infrastructure development in low- and middle-income countries. Latin America is to be featured in the initiative, which is expected to launch in 2022.