Latinobarometro poll: 65% in Latin America see China's influence as positive, 57% the US's
The 2026 Latinobarometro survey, published on 2 October, found Latin Americans rate China's influence more positively than America's for the first time since 1995. The US remains more popular than China in overall favourability.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2The 2026 Latinobarometro survey, published on 2 October, found that China is seen as a more positive influence than the United States in Latin America, the first time this has happened since the annual poll began in 1995. Al JazeeraLC “in a first since the poll began in 1995” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ The Straits TimesRC “for the first time since the annual survey began in 1995, China is seen as a more benign force than the United States” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Left · 1Some 65% of respondents in 17 countries called China a positive influence, against 57% for the US. Al JazeeraLC “65 percent of respondents in 17 countries saw China as a positive influence. That was compared with 57 percent who said the same of the US.” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ Mixed · 2China's figure was up from 48% in 2020, while the US figure fell from 60% over the same period. Al JazeeraLC “The figure for the US has fallen from 60 percent over the same period.” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ The Straits TimesRC “a jump from the 48% it scored six years ago” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Mixed · 2Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic were the only countries where US influence was rated more positively than China's. Al JazeeraLC “Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic were the only countries surveyed where respondents viewed US influence more positively than China’s.” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ The Straits TimesRC “Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic were the only countries in the region” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Mixed · 2On overall favourability the US still led China, 63% to 58%, but the US figure was down from 73% in 2024. Al JazeeraLC “Some 63 percent of respondents said they had a favourable opinion of the US, compared with 58 percent for China.” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ The Straits TimesRC “Two years ago, 73% of people surveyed by Latinobarometro had a favourable view of the United States.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Mixed · 2Both outlets place the findings in the context of President Donald Trump's second term and his "Donroe Doctrine" of asserting US dominance in Latin America. The Straits TimesRC “he has openly asserted his desire for hegemony over Latin America as part of what he calls the “Donroe Doctrine”” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Al JazeeraLC “Trump has described his approach as the “Donroe Doctrine”.” Read at Al Jazeera ↗
Left · 1Al Jazeera adds that the administration has struck alleged drug-smuggling boats in the region, which rights groups have decried as extrajudicial killings. Al JazeeraLC “conducting strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in the region, which rights groups have decried as extrajudicial killings” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ Mixed · 2The survey also asked about the US capture of Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro: a majority in every country except Argentina approved. The Straits TimesRC “a majority of people in all but one country – Argentina – approving of Maduro’s capture by US special forces” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Al JazeeraLC “A majority in all but one country, Argentina, approved of Maduro’s capture by US forces.” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ Mixed · 2Opinion was split on the effect on Venezuela, with 35% saying it benefited the country and 28% saying it harmed it, and Venezuelans were among those most positive about US influence. The Straits TimesRC “only 35% considered it benefited Venezuela, compared to 28% who said it harmed the Caribbean country” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Al JazeeraLC “Venezuelans were among the populations most likely to view US influence positively” Read at Al Jazeera ↗
Mixed · 2Latinobarometro is a Chile-based non-profit; the poll rests on about 19,200 face-to-face interviews in 17 countries between 7 May and 17 June, with a 1% margin of error. The Straits TimesRC “The 2026 survey was based on some 19,200 face-to-face interviews carried out in 17 countries between May 7 and June 17, with a margin of error of 1%.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Al JazeeraLC “Latinobarometro, a Chile-based nonprofit organisation” Read at Al Jazeera ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads on the poll result, then ties it to the Trump administration's military actions in the region, including boat strikes criticised by rights groups.
- Emphasis
- US military force and rights-group criticism as context for declining US standing.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not quote the report's own conclusion that China has more influence than the US.
- Charged language
- “abducting”“extrajudicial killings”
- For example
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“which rights groups have decried as extrajudicial killings” — Al Jazeera
“abducting Venezuela’s then-leader Nicolas Maduro in Brazil” — Al Jazeera
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- AFP wire copy carried by the Straits Times; frames the result as growing disaffection with the US under Trump's openly asserted hegemony.
- Emphasis
- Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' and the explanation of its Monroe origin; the report's conclusion that China has more influence.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the boat strikes or rights-group criticism.
- Charged language
- “hegemony”“overthrew”“Donroe Doctrine”
- For example
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“Trump’s push to restore US dominance in what Washington calls “our hemisphere” was in evidence in January when the United States overthrew Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.” — The Straits Times
What every side reports
- Latinobarometro's 2026 survey found 65% see China's influence as positive versus 57% for the US.
- It is the first time since 1995 that China has outscored the US on this measure.
- The US remains more popular than China overall, 63% to 58%.
- Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic were the only countries favouring US influence.
- A majority in every country except Argentina approved of Maduro's capture.
China place
Seen as a more positive influence by 65% of respondents, up from 48% in 2020, though less favourably viewed overall (58%).
“Support for China has risen sharply since 2020, when 48 percent of respondents viewed its influence positively.” — Al Jazeera
United States place
Rated a positive influence by 57%, down from 60% in 2020, yet still more favourably viewed overall (63%) than China.
“Despite the findings on global influence, the US remained more popular than China” — Al Jazeera
Latin America place
Respondents in 17 countries; most approved of Maduro's capture, but only 35% thought it benefited Venezuela.
“only 35% considered it benefited Venezuela, compared to 28% who said it harmed the Caribbean country” — The Straits Times
Left1 article
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Latin America sees China as more positive global influence than US: Poll
Mixed Reports the poll and links it to US military actions criticised by rights groups.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right1 article
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The Straits TimesRC · · via AFP
Poll shows China a more positive influence than US in Latin America
Neutral AFP wire copy presenting the poll findings against Trump's assertion of hegemony over Latin America.
- 2 Oct 20:14 First The Straits TimesRC Poll shows China a more positive influence than US in Latin America via AFP
- 2 Oct 21:52 +1h 38m Al JazeeraLC Latin America sees China as more positive global influence than US: Poll
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.