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 Cera Baker.

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

Initiatives

In the News 8 of 727 results

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35 West

Dragon in the Americas with Leland Lazarus

Henry Ziemer is joined by Leland Lazarus to discuss China’s evolving approach to Latin America, the competition between China and Taiwan for influence, the role of illicit economies, and the broader implications of Beijing’s growing regional presence.

Podcast Episode by Henry Ziemer — October 21, 2026

CSIS 35 West

USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin

The USMCA has the strictest automotive rules of origin of any U.S. trade agreement in force. Six years of evidence show those rules now sit at or near the point where more stringency stops adding regional content and starts pushing producers out of the agreement.

Congressional Testimony by Diego Marroquín Bitar — October 14, 2026

35 West

Paraguay’s Moment: A New Chapter for Development

In this episode of 35 West, Associate Director Juliana Rubio sits down with Esteban Caballero, a political scientist and researcher at FLACSO Paraguay, to discuss Paraguay’s economic trajectory, the structural challenges that still shape its development, and the role international partners can play. They also examine how Paraguay’s relationship with Taiwan fits into a wider geopolitical context involving the United States and China.

Podcast Episode by Juliana Rubio — October 1, 2026

CSIS 35 West

What Does the Greenland Deal Mean for North American Security?

CSIS experts examine the September 22 update to the Defense of Greenland agreement and what it means for Greenland, Denmark, the United States, and Canada amid renewed tensions.

Critical Questions by Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Alex Dalziel, Henry Ziemer, and Otto Svendsen — September 30, 2026

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