Social Protectionism at a Global Crossroads: Colombia, the BRICS+ Countries, and Latin America’s Strategic Reinvention in Relation to Asia-Pacific

Abstract

In a world order fractured by trade wars and geoeconomic reconfigurations, Latin America faces a dilemma: reproduce dependent models or articulate sovereign responses. This paper demonstrates how Colombia—under the Petro administration—is adopting a neo-developmentalist social protectionism, as theorized by Ha-Joon Chang. Far from being isolationist, this strategy combines state protection of sensitive sectors (agriculture, energy transition) with a bold approach to the BRICS+, challenging the neoliberal axiom. The analysis reveals three structural paradoxes: First, the autonomy-extractivism dilemma, where the rapprochement with China reproduces patterns of primary-export specialization that compromise productive sovereignty. Second, the financial-ecological contradiction of the BRICS+ New Development Bank. Finally, the semantic reconfiguration of protectionism through social clauses (local employment, technology transfer) that transform it into inclusive industrial policy. Thus, Colombia is experimenting with a new proposal for interdependent sovereignty. We conclude by asking whether this model can transcend rhetoric and become a paradigm for the Global South, reviewing possible scenarios where this new perspective on protectionism mitigates inequalities. This is an urgent debate at a time when the rules of global trade are being rewritten.