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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China-owned Chancay Port Set to Become Latin America’s Third Largest

The latest capacity projections for the Chancay Port reflect China's expanding influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Chinese port ownership could create strategic vulnerabilities and gain leverage over hemispheric commerce.

Analysis by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, and Henry Ziemer — February 25, 2025

IMF Loan to El Salvador Raises Transparency Concerns

CSIS Americas Program Senior Associate Alexander Kravetz explores how negotiations between El Salvador and the IMF can be used to bolster democracy and the rule of law in the country.

Commentary by Alexander A. Kravetz — February 24, 2025

Audio Briefs

How Does Latin America and the Caribbean View the Ukraine Conflict After Three Years of War?

An audio version of “How Does Latin America and the Caribbean View the Ukraine Conflict After Three Years of War?” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Ryan C. Berg, Natalia Hidalgo, and Henry Ziemer. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg, Natalie Hidalgo, and Henry Ziemer — February 24, 2025

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

IMF Loan to El Salvador Raises Transparency Concerns

An audio version of “IMF Loan to El Salvador Raises Transparency Concerns,” a new commentary by CSIS's Alexander A. Kravetz. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Alexander A. Kravetz — February 24, 2025

Audio Briefs
35 West

Consistency, Change, and Crisis in Haiti

In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Georges Fauriol, Senior Associate with the CSIS Americas Program and fellow with the Caribbean Policy Consortium. Together, they discuss recent political developments with the Haitian provisional government, and the future of the embattled MSS force.

Podcast Episode by Christopher Hernandez-Roy — February 20, 2025

CSIS 35 West

U.S. Allies and Partners Under the Trump Administration

Please join the CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department for a discussion of the ways in which U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Americas are navigating the new administration’s policies.

Event — February 18, 2025