Dr. Evan Ellis is a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, with a focus on the region’s relationships with China and other non-Western Hemisphere actors as well as transnational organized crime and populism in the region. Dr. Ellis previously served as on the secretary of state’s policy planning staff with responsibility for Latin America and the Caribbean as well as international narcotics and law enforcement issues. In his academic capacity, Dr. Ellis presented his work in a broad range of business and government forums in 27 countries on four continents. He has given testimony on Latin American security issues to the U.S. Congress on various occasions, has discussed his work regarding China and other external actors in Latin America on a broad range of radio and television programs, and is cited regularly in the print media in both the United States and Latin America for his work in this area. Dr. Ellis has also been awarded the Order of Military Merit José María Córdova by the Colombian government for his scholarship on security issues in the region.

Programs & Projects

Areas of Expertise

In the News

All content by Evan Ellis

Filter by

1 - 10 of 22 results

Colombia’s Relationship with the PRC

CSIS Americas senior associate Evan Ellis delves into the China-Colombia relationship, examining its history as well as options for the Petro administration.

Report by Evan Ellis — November 10, 2022

Building the Future: Freedom, Prosperity, and Foreign Policy with Dan Runde

Examining China’s role in Latin America with Dr. Evan Ellis

In this week’s episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dr. Evan Ellis, a CSIS non-resident senior associate for the Americas Program and a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute.

Podcast Episode by Daniel F. Runde and Evan Ellis — July 27, 2022

CSIS Building the Future

The Geopolitics of Honduras’s Special Economic Zones

CSIS Americas Program experts Ryan C. Berg and Evan Ellis examine the significance of special economic zones in Honduras amid rising geopolitical competition between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, as well as the United States' push to nearshore key industries.

Commentary by Ryan C. Berg and Evan Ellis — June 9, 2022

The Caribbean in the Crossfire

CSIS Americas senior associate Evan Ellis discusses the strategic importance of the Caribbean Basin and outlines policy recommendations for the United States to engage with the region at a time of renewed international competition.

Report by Evan Ellis — April 27, 2022

China's Role in Latin America and the Caribbean

Evan Ellis testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues on the topic of "China's Role in Latin America and the Caribbean."

Congressional Testimony by Evan Ellis — March 31, 2022