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: DANIEL MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: DANIEL MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images

Under the Gun: Firearms Trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean

CSIS Americas deputy director and senior fellow Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, and Azucena Duarte unpack firearms trafficking dynamics throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Report by Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, and Azucena Duarte — November 19, 2024

See all analysis on Americas Program

Featured Event

Addressing Maduro’s Oil Lifeline in the Wake of a Stolen Election

Presented by Americas Program
December 3, 2024 • 10:00 – 11:00 am EST

In the News

All Americas Program Content

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35 West

The Long Shadow of Violence in Mexico’s Elections

In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Chris Dalby to discuss Mexico's evolving criminal landscape, the causes and consequences of electoral violence in Mexico, and what to expect from the new Sheinbaum administration's security policy.

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg — June 13, 2024

CSIS 35 West
Audio Briefs

Claudia Sheinbaum: ¿La mujer más poderosa del mundo?

Una versión en audio de “Claudia Sheinbaum: ¿La mujer más poderosa del mundo?,” un nuevo commentario de Ryan C. Berg y Rubi Bledsoe del CSIS. Este audio fue generado con texto a voz por Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg and Rubi Bledsoe — June 13, 2024

Audio Briefs
Mexico Matters

Power is the Greatest Aphrodisiac

Mariana speaks with Carlos Elizondo Mayer-Serra  about Claudia Sheinbaum’s landslide victory in the Mexican elections.

Podcast Episode by Mariana Campero — June 12, 2024

CSIS Mexico Matters
The Truth of the Matter

Breaking Mexico’s Glass Ceiling

CSIS’s Mariana Campero, host of Mexico Matters and co-host of It’s More than Grit with Andrew Schwartz, joins the podcast to discuss Mexico’s historic election of Claudia Sheinbaum, the country’s first woman and first Jewish president, and how Mexicans are reacting to the election results.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Mariana Campero — June 10, 2024

CSIS the truth of the matter

Claudia Sheinbaum: The Most Powerful Woman in the World?

Americas Program director Ryan C. Berg and Rubi Bledsoe examine the historic victory of Claudia Sheinbaum and delve into the implications of Morena's dominance in the Mexican political landscape.

Commentary by Ryan C. Berg and Rubi Bledsoe — June 7, 2024

Audio Briefs

Claudia Sheinbaum: The Most Powerful Woman in the World?

An audio version of “Claudia Sheinbaum: The Most Powerful Woman in the World?,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Ryan C. Berg and Rubi Bledsoe. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg and Rubi Bledsoe — June 7, 2024

Audio Briefs

What Are the Implications of Peru Joining the Artemis Accords?

Peru became the 41st country—​and the seventh from Latin America—to sign on to the Artemis Accords. In this Critical Questions, CSIS visiting fellow Laura Delgado López explains why Peru may have taken this step and why this is significant from a regional standpoint.

Critical Questions by Laura Delgado López — June 6, 2024

Audio Briefs

What Are the Implications of Peru Joining the Artemis Accords?

An audio version of “What Are the Implications of Peru Joining the Artemis Accords?,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Laura Delgado López. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Laura Delgado López — June 6, 2024

Audio Briefs