Since 2000, when Vladimir Putin came to power as President of Russia, Moscow has begun to use a complex ecosystem of information, disinformation and misinformation as a global tool that it has placed at the centre of its national security strategy. This ecosystem played an important role in helping the Kremlin achieve its strategic objectives during critical periods, such as Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the launch of a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. As Putin regards the collapse of the Soviet Union as a major geopolitical catastrophe, he believes that Russia needs to regain its former power and influence on the global stage. In this context, Moscow aims to re-establish its historical and cultural supremacy in the former Soviet states, which are defined as Russia's ‘immediate neighbourhood’, while also recognising the strategic imperative to increase its influence in Latin America, which is seen as the US sphere of influence. In order to achieve its strategic goals in Latin America, Moscow has created an ‘information operations ecosystem’ centred on media and information manipulation. This ecosystem is Russia's weapon in the global information war and reaches Latin American populations, especially through media outlets such as RT Spanish. The Kremlin endeavours to make Russia's power and presence felt in order to counterbalance the dominant US influence in the region. Moscow seeks to build an alternative reality in Latin America by forging alliances with regimes that oppose US hegemonic interests, while portraying the US as a power that ruthlessly and irredeemably exploits its interests in the region. RT Spanish is at the forefront of this strategic information and disinformation campaign. While criticising US policies in the region, this media outlet disseminates information in line with Russia's allies and interests. Relations with anti-US regimes, especially Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, are the cornerstones of this media strategy. RT Spanish criticises US actions in the region and produces content that supports the Kremlin's point of view, which plays an important role in shaping Russia's image in Latin America.
Moscow's information ecosystem aims not only to weaken US influence, but also to create the perception that Russia has a strong network of international allies in Latin America. This strategy challenges the liberal order in Latin America and offers an alternative worldview, especially through alliances with anti-US regimes. This approach not only increases Russia's influence in the region, but also provides an opportunity to gain a new foothold in the global balance of power. Russia's soft power in Latin America is part of an information war shaped through RT Spanish and other media manipulation strategies. Moscow uses these media strategies to undermine US influence in the region and achieve its own global goals. In conclusion, Russia's information operations in Latin America are a reflection of its efforts to reshape the balance of power in the region. This process is not only a part of Moscow's strategy to re-emerge as a global power, but also an indicator of the struggle against the US hegemony in the region.
To achieve a level of success that is often overlooked in Latin America, Russia has built a vast and complex network of information operations based on Russian state media broadcasting in Spanish, Latin America's local state media, social media allies and websites that share Russia's core discourses. This network is integrated into cyber echo chambers that amplify messages. These echo chambers are run almost entirely by actors known as experienced and disciplined disinformation ‘super-spreaders’. These actors have the capacity to amplify Russian narratives far beyond what is measured in traditional studies of Russian influence. The Russian media network has significantly transformed and shaped the Latin American media landscape. This effective propaganda and disinformation ecosystem, which contributes to the achievement of Russia's strategic objectives, aims to shape and steer public opinion in the region in favour of Russian interests. This strategy makes its impact felt not only through traditional media but also on digital platforms. Disinformation campaigns spread through social media, coupled with messages tailored to local dynamics, play a critical role in increasing Russia's influence in Latin America.
For the continuation...
To achieve a level of success that is often overlooked in Latin America, Russia has built a vast and complex network of information operations based on Russian state media broadcasting in Spanish, Latin America's local state media, social media allies and websites that share Russia's core discourses. This network is integrated into cyber echo chambers that amplify messages. These echo chambers are run almost entirely by actors known as experienced and disciplined disinformation ‘super-spreaders’. These actors have the capacity to amplify Russian narratives far beyond what is measured in traditional studies of Russian influence. The Russian media network has significantly transformed and shaped the Latin American media landscape. This effective propaganda and disinformation ecosystem, which contributes to the achievement of Russia's strategic objectives, aims to shape and steer public opinion in the region in favour of Russian interests. This strategy makes its impact felt not only through traditional media but also on digital platforms. Disinformation campaigns spread through social media, coupled with messages tailored to local dynamics, play a critical role in increasing Russia's influence in Latin America.
For the continuation...
