Pompeo's remarks reflect US role in Latin America

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is clearly intent on seizing every opportunity of his ongoing four-country trip to Latin America to attack China's role in the region. His latest attempt to throw mud at China's normal cooperation with Latin American countries was to accuse it of abetting authoritarian leaders and spreading corruption with its growing military and economic influence in the region.

In so doing, it brings debt traps, disregards rules and spreads disorder in the region, Pompeo claimed.

Pompeo's bad mouthing may stem from Washington's increasing anxiety about China's growing influence in Latin America, but people would never expect a decent diplomat to utter such slander.