As the new year commences, there are several developments taking place in Latin America and the Caribbean that will likely make international headlines in 2020. In this commentary, we will briefly discuss some issues to keep in mind.

The reelection of President Tsai Ing-wen matters because the people’s voices were heard, and they signaled to mainland China and the rest of the world that they deeply value and cherish their freedom, democracy, human rights, and religious freedom.

Each African state faces its unique prospects and challenges heading into the new decade. Nevertheless, there are common themes and transnational trends we may expect to shape the continent in the new year and beyond.

The United States must make it abundantly clear that the Chinese Communist Party can no longer enjoy the benefits of American policy without fulfilling its obligations.

Left unchecked and unchallenged, China will continue to abuse emerging technologies such as AI and facial recognition to oppress people created in the image of God.

Pope Francis visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki this weekend. In both locations, he lamented the horrors and immorality of nuclear weapons. He got the horror right, not much else.

China maintains a flexible strategy as it looks to gain and secure new international partners and backers, while the US has demanded accountability and democracy from Guyana.

Islam and Christianity have overlapping views of religious freedom, and both are guilty of religious persecution. Two recently published books address these realities: Religious Freedom in Islam: The Fate of a Universal Human Right in the Muslim World Today by Daniel Philpott and Liberty in the Things of God: The Christian Origins of Religious Freedom by Robert Louis Wilken.

America believes “in the dignity of each man, woman, and child. Our entire system is founded on an appreciation of the special genius of each individual.”