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 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.

The Americas Program focuses on six thematic priorities:

  1. The authoritarian regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba as well as democratic backsliding in other countries as a driver of regional instability.
  2. Economic development, strengthening supply chains, forging closer trade linkages between the United States and the region, and nearshoring critical industries.
  3. The long-term impact of China’s rise, the continued relevance of Russia and other extra-hemispheric powers, in a region shaped by strategic rivalry.
  4. Security, especially transnational criminal organizations and illicit economies, particularly in Mexico, the Northern Triangle, and Colombia.
  5. Governance challenges and their effects, including weak rule of law, endemic corruption, migration, inequality, and human rights violations.
  6. Civil-military relations and defense cooperation.

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Featured Analysis

Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

Effects of the Trump Administration’s Tariff Threats Against Canada and Mexico

CSIS Americas Deputy Director and Senior Fellow Christopher Hernandez-Roy describes how U.S. rhetoric and trade threats are causing Canada and Mexico to rethink their relationship with their neighbor.

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Commentary by Christopher Hernandez-Roy — March 31, 2025

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Audio Briefs

What Are Brazil’s Strategic Options in Response to U.S. Tariffs?

An audio version of “⁠What Are Brazil’s Strategic Options in Response to U.S. Tariffs?⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Thiago de Aragão. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Thiago de Aragão — July 11, 2025

Audio Briefs
Mexico Matters

Benefiting Cartels by Law 

In this episode, Mariana speaks with former Supreme Court Minister, Jose Ramon Cosío about the implications of the judicial constitutional reform pushed by President Claudia Sheinbaum and passed by Mexico’s Congress. 

Podcast Episode by Mariana Campero — July 7, 2025

CSIS Mexico Matters
35 West

Lawfare Ramps up in El Salvador

In this episode, Juliana Rubio sits down with Leonor Arteaga Rubio to discuss increasing attacks on civil society in El Salvador.

Podcast Episode by Juliana Rubio — June 26, 2025

CSIS 35 West