The new U.S. secretary of state will emphasize stemming the tide of immigration, with discussions likely involving law enforcement and economic cooperation, particularly with Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, which are significant sources of migrants. But as the Global South awakens generally, U.S. dominance will not be well-tolerated.

A prominent Chinese businessman, Mr. Wang Jing, is planning to construct an interoceanic canal through Nicaragua. At four times the GDP of this Central American nation, this $40 billion project would provide shipping companies a compelling alternative to the Panama Canal.