China Offers “Battle-Tested” J-10C Fighters To Colombia

sakshi tiwari reporting DEFENCE AFFAIRS

Just days after signing up for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Colombia has reportedly been pitched China’s J-10C fighter jets.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is China’s strongest link to the Latin American region, which the United States considers its backyard.

Last week, Colombia became the 23rd Latin American country to join the initiative, demonstrating the strengthening of ties with Beijing. The agreement was signed during Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visit to China for the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States’ (CELAC) forum.

President Petro published a video of the signing of the agreement on X with the caption: “The history of our foreign relations is changing. From now on, Colombia will interact with the entire world on a footing of equality and freedom.”

China is believed to be using its BRI to further its ambition of becoming a world power. However, the US has repeatedly warned Latin American countries about the risks of participating in the initiative, expressing concerns over debt traps, sovereignty, transparency, and strategic influence. It argues that BRI loans come with high interest rates and opaque terms, which can create unpredictable debt situations. 

Notably, Colombia’s entry into the BRI comes months after a tense diplomatic standoff between the US and Colombia in January 2025.

President Petro refused to accept deportation flights of illegal immigrants aboard a US military aircraft. Donald Trump responded to the refusal with sweeping threats, including 25% tariffs. The impasse was eventually resolved, but the tussle exposed cracks in the relationship.

At the same time, ties between Colombia and China are strengthening. China is already Colombia’s second-largest trading partner. Beijing could use the existing economic cooperation to invite Colombia into the BRI.

In addition to the BRI, there are claims that China has also proposed selling two dozen J-10CE Vigorous Dragon fighter jets to Colombia. This was first reported by Infodefensa, which tracks military development in the Latin American region.