Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., is warning that the Chinese communist regime is looking to take advantage of a “vacuum” left behind by the U.S. in South America — after a trip to the region where he heard from top government officials first-hand.
Hagerty, a former businessman and diplomat, visited Uruguay and Chile last week as part of a congressional delegation to the area, while also heading to Colombia by himself. Included in the visits were meetings with the presidents of each country, as well as top government officials including foreign ministers.
Hagerty told Fox News Digital that he saw how those countries have basic economic problems and are in the process of trying to develop their economies, and how the Chinese are trying to exploit that.
“Basic economic problems were exacerbated by the pandemic shutdowns that took place. So they’re trying to emerge from the pandemic with underperforming economies and with much higher crime rates. And in that situation, the United States has…