Video On Demand

Navigating Geopolitics and Security in Latin America's Ports

October 17, 2024 • 3:00 – 4:00 pm EDT

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Join the CSIS Americas Program for a conversation on the geopolitical and security challenges impacting Latin America's ports.

Across the Western Hemisphere, ports have appeared as key nodes for criminality and geopolitical competition. As major logistics hubs, ports play an important role in the transportation of illicit drugs, minerals, wildlife, and more across oceans to their target destinations. Furthermore, the growing role of the People's Republic of China in the construction, ownership, and operation of ports risks opening security vulnerabilities for the United States, and snarling attempts to improve port security thanks to China's opaque operating procedures.

This event will explore the growing relevance of port infrastructure within Latin America and the Caribbean, and what the United States can do to ensure that allies and partners within the hemisphere effectively respond to these shifting geopolitical currents. The discussion will touch not only on the relevance of ports for great-power competition, but also delve into the role China plays in the grand scheme of illicit commodity smuggling through regional ports.

This event is made possible through cooperation with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. State Department.

Hosted By

Contact Information

Carolina Sampó

Researcher, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)

Leland Lazarus

Adjunct Professor, U.S.-China Relations, Chinese Foreign Policy, Florida International University

Douglas Farah

President, IBI Consultants

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