The Andrés Bello Foundation – Latin American Chinese Research Center is an independent, non-governmental organization based in Bogotá that’s all about shining a light on one of the biggest stories of our time: China’s rise and its enormous impact on Latin America and the Caribbean. We’re here not just to provide accurate, balanced analysis, but to wake people up to how much China is influencing our daily lives—whether it’s through buying our natural resources, extending loans, building infrastructure, or simply through the technology we use every day like TikTok, Alibaba, Huawei phones, and electric vehicles.
China knows our region well—far better than we know them. This imbalance is something we’re determined to change. Our network comprises a diverse group of experts—academics, researchers, journalists, policymakers, and activists—all with deep experience in Sino-Latin American relations, to help bridge this gap. We’re not just here to do research and analysis; we’re here to spark conversations about how China’s actions are shaping the future of our countries.
In our work, we recognize that “Latin America and the Caribbean” is just a label that covers a large number of countries with very different realities, cultures, and contexts. Similarly, the way China operates varies considerably depending on where we are standing. That’s why we work with professionals across the region to ensure that our analysis reflects these particularities and specific challenges.
Our work spans a range of projects designed to inform and engage. We produce the Silk & Coffee Podcast and manage the ABF Data Studio — a go-to resource for databases on China’s projects and activities in the region. We publish editorials, investigative reports, and Q&A sessions with experts to bring fresh perspectives to the table. Our newsletter and news section keep you up-to-date with daily stories about China’s moves in Latin America. On top of that, we run capacity-building activities to equip leaders, journalists, and policymakers with the tools they need to navigate these complex relationships.
We’re here to make sure the region isn’t just reacting to China, but engaging with it on our own terms, fully aware of how these interactions can shape our future.
MEET THE TEAM
Parsifal D’Sola Alvarado
Founder and Executive Director of the Andrés Bello Foundation – China Latin America Research Center. He is a foreign policy analyst specializing in Sino-Latin American relations with a focus on Venezuela. Parsifal is a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub. In 2019, he served as a foreign policy advisor on China for the interim government of Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Parsifal lived in Beijing from 2008 to 2016, where he worked as a communications manager and researcher for the news agency China Files. He holds a degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the Andrés Bello Catholic University (Venezuela), a Master’s in East Asian Studies from Columbia University (USA), a Master’s in International Politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London (UK), and a diploma in advanced language studies from the Beijing Language and Culture University (China).
Sebastián Castaño Palacio.
National security analyst in Colombia with over 10 years of experience in human rights consultancy, international cooperation, and public policy formulation. He holds a degree in Political Science from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia) and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Strategy and Geopolitics at the Superior School of War of Colombia. As General Manager, he oversees the organization’s research projects, communications and outreach strategy, and financing.
María Catalina Micolta Portocarrero.
Foreign policy and public diplomacy analyst with experience in research on European Union regional integration, European Community Law, migration, and security. She holds a degree in Political Science and a Master’s in International Relations from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), with additional studies in Contemporary China at Pontificia Universidad Católica of Argentina. As the Director of Research Projects, she supervises the design, management, and dissemination of academic research results.
Iñigo Alexander López.
International journalist specializing in Latin America, human rights, social justice, and the environment. Established in Colombia as a freelance journalist since 2022, Iñigo has contributed to outlets such as BBC, The Guardian, The New York Times, and Reuters, among others. He holds a Master’s in International Journalism from City University of London and a degree in International Studies with a focus on Latin America from Leiden University.
Álvaro David Uribe.
David has worked as a research assistant at the Foundation since 2023. He specializes in the analysis of foreign policy between Latin America and the Caribbean and China, with a focus on security and regional cooperation. He holds a degree in Political Science and International Relations from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia). As a Junior Researcher, he supports the team in the collection, consolidation, and analysis of information.
Our Work
NUESTROS ALIADOS
