China flexes muscles in Latin America in latest security challenge to US

China's growing presence in Latin America has defense officals and lawmakers concerned over its increased influence and push to expand military ties in the region.

China’s quiet expansion in the southern hemisphere has increasingly caught the attention of U.S. defense officials and lawmakers, including Florida Republican Rep. María Elvira Salazar, who last month drew attention to growing security threats emerging from Latin America. Caitlin McFall is a Reporter at Fox News Digital covering Politics, U.S. and World news.

In a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Salazar told lawmakers that Argentina, along with nations like Venezuela and Bolivia, were allowing China to gain a military foothold in Latin America.