The presence of China in Latin America is growing day by day, expanding across various sectors, as evidenced by the arrival of a delegation from Norinco, the massive state-owned enterprise focused on the military industry, alongside diplomats from the Asian country in Uruguay.
Norincos executives met with the newly appointed Minister of Defense from Yamandú Orsi’s leftist government, Sandra Lazo, and Nadia Almeida, who oversees policies in that ministry. They were also accompanied by the Chief of the Defense Staff (ESMADE), Air General Rodolfo Pereyra.
A future donation of military equipment to the army was announced, although there was no representation from the army command at the meeting. Recently, Uruguay purchased tactical trucks from Norinco.
Representatives from the Chinese state-owned company also held discussions with the General Command of the Air Force, specifically with its Commander in Chief, Air General Fernando Colina, and Gaetano Battagliese, head of the Air Logistics Command.
Offer of Ammunition and Equipment
Norinco presents a portfolio aimed at persuading Orsi’s administration to purchase ammunition, base security vehicles, and logistics materials.
Up until recently, China was keen on selling its L-15 fighter jet to Uruguay, but no agreement has been reached. However, this time Norinco is presenting a portfolio to convince Orsi’s administration to acquire ammunition, base security vehicles, and logistical support materials (1).
The Chinese catalog includes various models of drones (UAV stands for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). The offer is subject to consideration by the Uruguayan military leadership.
Norinco has been sanctioned since June 2021 by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (2). These sanctions date back to 2003 when the U.S. accused China of not complying with a non-proliferation weapons agreement, leading to the imposition of these measures on North China Industries Corporation (Norinco), one of its largest military-industrial conglomerates due to the provision of missile technology to Iran (3).
China’s Presence in Latin America
After a fallout between the governments of China and Uruguay concerning Uruguay’s refusal to purchase ships, China once again participated in Uruguayan bids at the end of 2024 and resumed the donation of logistical materials. By then, Chinese cooperation with Uruguay was estimated at around USD 4,500,000 (4).
The military equipment donation agreement was signed in August 2024 between representatives of the Uruguayan government and the embassy of the People’s Republic of China (5).
Overall, China has become an important commercial and investment partner in Latin America, increasing its economic and political influence since the early 21st century. In fact, the region is the second-largest recipient of Chinese foreign direct investment. The volume of bilateral trade between China and Latin America continues to grow steadily.
These agreements extend beyond the economic realm and encompass political aspects, which presents a challenge for the United States as it competes with China for greater influence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Consulted Sources:
1) Bonilla, Javier. (April 11, 2025). “The Minister of Defense of Uruguay receives a delegation from the Chinese state holding Norinco, which arrives in the country with its weapons systems portfolio.” In Defensa. Available at: https://www.defensa.com/uruguay/ministra-defensa-uruguay-recibe-delegacion-holding-estatal-chino
2) OFAC. (June 3, 2021). China North Industries Group Corporation Limited. Available at: https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/Details.aspx?id=30957
3) La Nación. (May 23, 2003). “Sanctions against China and Iran.” Available at: https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/sanciones-a-china-e-iran-nid498147/
4) Porfilio, Gabriel. (November 17, 2024). “China continues its approach to Uruguay.” In: Infodefensa. Available at: https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/5071416/china-continua-proceso-acercamiento-uruguay-luego-divorcio-opv 5) Presidency Uruguay. (August 9, 2024). “Uruguay will acquire Chinese military equipment worth more than 4 million dollars.” Available at: https://www.gub.uy/presidencia/comunicacion/noticias/uruguay-incorporara-equipamiento-militar-chino-4-millones-dolares