Without major improvements, the canal will become obsolete within a decade. Moreover, China's attempts to plant a larger economic and trade footprint in the region also appear half-hearted. The money invested thus far in nourishing more beneficial trade relationships has been miniscule. Moreover, banking on the Cuban and Venezuelan leaders for long-term influence may be shortsighted. Castro's days are numbered, and a growing number of analysts believe Chavez' six-year term may end prematurely.
China also has little to offer on trade.
And, in some areas, Chinese commodities would directly compete with domestic production in many Latin American countries. Taiwan already has invested heavily in Paraguay, as well as portions of Central America. China's strategy to expand its influence in Latin America barely can be described as a strategy. Its efforts to nurture new security and trade alliances have been an inch deep and a mile wide. Unless it back up its rhetoric with hard cash and can offer the region the same or more than the United States, Europe and others, it will remain gain only a marginal influence in Latin America.