President Xi Jinping vowed on Tuesday to boost China's footprint in Latin America and the Caribbean with a new $9 billion credit line and fresh infrastructure investment, although Brazil warned the region not to become overly reliant on foreign funding.

Colombia’s entry into the Belt and Road Initiative may not mean a full realignment toward China—but it does send a clear message: Latin America is no longer content being anyone’s backyard. It is actively pursuing investment, trade diversification, and new diplomatic paths.