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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Projects

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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China’s Advance in Colombia in the Time of Gustavo Petro

CSIS Americas Senior Associate Evan Ellis provides an overview of China’s cooperation with Colombia under President Petro in the areas of commercial relations, infrastructure development, and diplomacy.

Commentary by Evan Ellis — June 10, 2025

35 West

Mexico's Semiconductor Moment

In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Jesús Silva Elizalde to discuss tthe state of U.S.-Mexico semiconductor cooperation, and Mexico's strategy to further develop its chips industry.

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg — May 29, 2025

CSIS 35 West
Audio Briefs

Educational Exchange as a Strategic Priority in U.S.-Mexico Relations

An audio version of “⁠Educational Exchange as a Strategic Priority in U.S.-Mexico Relations⁠,” a new commentary by Juliana Rubio, Julie Baer, Eitan Casaverde. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Juliana Rubio, Julie Baer, and Eitan Casaverde — May 29, 2025

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

The Role of Social Media in Cartel Recruitment

An audio version of “⁠The Role of Social Media in Cartel Recruitment⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Rubi Bledsoe. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Rubi Bledsoe — May 28, 2025

Audio Briefs

The Role of Social Media in Cartel Recruitment

CSIS Americas Research Associate Rubi Bledsoe delves into the intricacies of digital recruitment tactics by Mexican cartels, the factors that make the youth vulnerable to them, and best avenues to combat them.

Commentary by Rubi Bledsoe — May 28, 2025

Audio Briefs

The Maduro Regime Held Another Sham Election—What Happens Now?

An audio version of “⁠The Maduro Regime Held Another Sham Election—What Happens Now?⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Juliana Rubio, Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, and Natalia Hidalgo. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Juliana Rubio, Henry Ziemer, and Rubi Bledsoe — May 27, 2025

Audio Briefs