Americas Program

A leading source of ideas defining the future of national security, analyzing geopolitical trends, and addressing key political, economic, and social challenges facing the region

The Americas Program was established with the clear, forward-looking mission to elevate the policy discussion on the Western Hemisphere. The program aims to influence through timely, practical, and insightful analysis and policy recommendations for partners in the United States and the region.

Our work concentrates on six thematic priorities, including: democratic resilience in the face of authoritarian regimes and democratic backsliding; economic development, supply chains, and nearshoring; the long-term impact of strategic rivalry with China and other extra-hemispheric powers; transnational criminal organizations and illicit economies; governance, migration, and human rights; and hemispheric defense cooperation.

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Featured Analysis

Photo: Federico PARRA /AFP/Getty Images (left) and ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images (right)

Photo: Federico PARRA /AFP/Getty Images (left) and ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images (right)

Is Venezuela Moving Toward Democracy?

More than nine months after the capture of Nicolás Maduro, CSIS Americas Program Acting Director and Senior Fellow Christpher Hernandez-Roy and Antonella Navarro assess Venezuela's progress towards political transition.

Commentary by Christopher Hernandez-Roy and Antonella Navarro — September 23, 2026

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Featured Videos

Trump's Venezuela Oil Deal

Can U.S. Allies Help Stop Transshipment?

Could the United States Use Force in Cuba?

Testify with Henry Ziemer: China’s Expanding Interests in Latin America

Venezuela After Maduro: What This Means for Venezuela’s Future

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Featured Podcast

35 West

35 West

The CSIS Americas Program podcast looks at the politics and policies of the 35 countries in the Western Hemisphere. It especially focuses on U.S. engagement with the region, whether on trade, diplomacy, or security issues like drugs and terrorism. Guests include top policymakers from the U.S. and other countries.

35 West is produced by Shannon Yeung.

Podcast Series by Ryan C. Berg and Christopher Hernandez-Roy

Initiatives

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35 West

The Future of U.S. Development Finance in the Americas

In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with DFC Chief Policy Officer Caroline Vik to discuss the agency's evolving mission, investment opportunities in the Western Hemisphere, and regional economic development challenges.

Podcast Episode by Christopher Hernandez-Roy — September 24, 2026

CSIS 35 West

Is Venezuela Moving Toward Democracy?

More than nine months after the capture of Nicolás Maduro, CSIS Americas Program Acting Director and Senior Fellow Christpher Hernandez-Roy and Antonella Navarro assess Venezuela's progress towards political transition.

Commentary by Christopher Hernandez-Roy and Antonella Navarro — September 23, 2026

Paraguay’s Next Development Chapter

Paraguay today has the potential to transform its development story, but it will require close cooperation with international partners to make the best use of its advantages. 

Commentary by Juliana Rubio and Henry Ziemer — September 18, 2026

35 West

An Update on U.S.-Mexico Firearms Trafficking

In this episode, Henry Ziemer sits down with Jake Steisel, Senior Staff Attorney at Global Action on Gun Violence, to analyze trends in U.S. firearms trafficking dynamics.

Podcast Episode by Henry Ziemer — September 17, 2026

CSIS 35 West

Building and Using a U.S. Polar Defense Industrial Base

As great power competition intensifies, expanding the U.S. polar industrial base can bolster U.S. defense capabilities, support the peaceful governance of the Arctic and Antarctic, and create new economic opportunities at home.

Commentary by William "Bill" Muntean III and Alexander B. Gray — September 17, 2026

35 West

Will Trump’s Pressure on Canada Break the USMCA?

Chris Hernandez-Roy and Diego Marroquin Bitar are joined by State of Play host, Will Todman, to discuss if Canada can withstand U.S. pressure, what lies ahead, and what U.S.-Canada tensions mean for the future of free trade in North America.

Podcast Episode by Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Diego Marroquín Bitar, and Will Todman — September 10, 2026

CSIS 35 West

Understanding the Implications of the U.S.-Venezuela Oil Deal

CSIS Americas Program Senior Associate Jose Ignacio Hernández explains the U.S.-Venezuela oil agreement and examines its implications for U.S. energy policy and Venezuela’s political transition.

Commentary by Jose Ignacio Hernández — September 4, 2026

Nicaragua’s Dictatorship Deepens: What Can the International Community Do?

CSIS Americas Program experts evaluate next steps for the United States and the international community amid further authoritarian consolidation by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua.

Critical Questions by Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, Kaela Werchniak, and Antonella Navarro — September 4, 2026