The United States is intensifying its efforts to curb the expansion of China's space and technology programs in Latin America.

The Chinese telescope, still unfinished, at night at the Carlos Ulrrico Cesco Astronomical Station in El Leoncito, in the Argentine province of San Juan (The New York Times). In recent years, the United States has intensified its diplomatic efforts to limit the expansion of space projects driven by China in Latin America, particularly in Argentina and Chile. According to The New York Times, the Donald Trump administration deepened contacts with allied governments in the region to express its concerns about Chinese scientific facilities that, according to U.S. officials, could have military and intelligence applications in addition to civilian uses. One of the main areas of concern is the radio telescope that China is building at the Cesco observatory in the Argentine province of San Juan. The project, developed in collaboration with the National University of San Juan, remains incomplete after essential components were held at the Argentine customs for several months. The New York Times reported that U.S. officials repeatedly conveyed their concerns to Buenos Aires about the potential dual use of the infrastructure. Washington's concern centers on the ability of these systems to track satellites, intercept space signals, and potentially collaborate with programs linked to the Chinese military. For the United States, Beijing's technological advancement in strategic areas represents a challenge in the Western Hemisphere. A telescope at the Cesco astronomical observatory in El Leoncito, Argentina (The New York Times). The dispute also extended to Chile. In the Atacama Desert, another astronomical project promoted by China was suspended after diplomatic talks between Chilean and U.S. officials. The U.S. newspaper noted that Washington considered it a priority to prevent Beijing from expanding its presence in sensitive facilities in the region. The competition between the two powers has thus moved to the scientific and space arena. The United States argues that China uses some civilian projects to strengthen global strategic capabilities, while Beijing rejects these accusations and claims that its initiatives have exclusively scientific goals. The radio telescope in San Juan was planned to involve an investment of approximately $32 million and the installation of a 40-meter diameter antenna. According to The New York Times, the system would allow the study of distant galaxies, star formation, and other astronomical phenomena by capturing radio waves from space. However, U.S. officials believe that such technology can also be used to monitor satellites and support sensitive space operations. The warnings from Washington began during the presidency of Joe Biden and continued under the current Trump administration. Erik González, left, astronomer at the National University of San Juan, in the basement of the unfinished Chinese telescope (The New York Times). The New York Times reported that in 2021, then-National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and other U.S. officials directly raised the issue with former Argentine President Alberto Fernández. During those contacts, concerns also arose about the Chinese space station installed in Neuquén since 2015. That base, built by the Chinese military in the Argentine Patagonia, is being closely monitored by U.S. security sectors. The agreement signed between Argentina and China granted Beijing the use of the land for half a century, which is interpreted in Washington as a sign of China's strategic consolidation in the region. With Javier Milei in the presidency, the relationship between Argentina and the United States has strengthened. The aforementioned media outlet noted that the White House held talks with Argentine officials about space cooperation and control of strategic infrastructure. At the same time, U.S. experts traveled to Buenos Aires to explain the risks associated with technologies considered "dual-use," that is, systems capable of having civilian and military applications. In addition, Washington has incorporated specific clauses in bilateral agreements to strengthen mechanisms for monitoring foreign space facilities. Elements in the basement of the unfinished Chinese radio telescope (The New York Times). The situation caused concern among Argentine scientists involved in the project. Local astronomers defended the academic nature of the radio telescope and highlighted the importance of expanding scientific capacity in the Southern Hemisphere. Ana María Pacheco, one of the researchers consulted by The New York Times, lamented that the initiative was caught in international geopolitical tensions. Marcelo Segura, the Argentine coordinator of the program, explained that he tried to convey to U.S. officials that the project was intended exclusively for astronomical research. Nevertheless, the objections persisted, and the progress of the work was practically halted. China responded by accusing the United States of trying to hinderDeterministic its technological development. The New York Times emphasized that the dispute reflects a broader transformation in U.S. policy towards Latin America. Faced with the growing influence of China in trade, infrastructure, and technology, Washington seeks to strengthen regional alliances and limit Beijing's progress in sectors considered strategic. Astronomers next to a radio station at the Cesco observatory in El Leoncito. It is considered that the skies in this place are among the best in the world for studying space (The New York Times). In this context, astronomical facilities located in the Andes have become a new arena for the global competition between the United States and China, a dispute that combines science, technology, security, and geopolitical power.