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:SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Photo:SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

USMCA Review 2026

CSIS Americas experts evaluate key challenges and opportunities ahead of the 2026 joint review of the USMCA free trade agreement.

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Brief by Diego Marroquín Bitar, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, and Earl Anthony Wayne — August 18, 2025

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Imagery from Venezuela Shows a Surgical Strike, Not Shock and Awe

CSIS experts analyze new satellite imagery of U.S. strikes against Venezuela carried out during the mission to capture Nicolás Maduro.

Commentary by Ryan C. Berg, Mark F. Cancian, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jennifer Jun, Henry Ziemer, and Chris H. Park — January 9, 2026

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En Español: La Olla a Presión del Esequibo: Nacionalismo Desbocado y Estrategia de Compelencia de Maduro

Una versión en audio de “La Olla a Presión del Esequibo: Nacionalismo Desbocado y Estrategia de Compelencia de Maduro”, un nuevo comentario de Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. y Jennifer Jun del CSIS. Este audio fue generado con texto a voz por Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jennifer Jun — May 15, 2024

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

“The Essequibo Pressure Cooker: Runaway Nationalism and Maduro’s Compellence Strategy”: Audio Brief with Ryan C. Berg and Christopher Hernandez-Roy

A short, spoken-word summary from CSIS’s Ryan C. Berg and Christopher Hernandez-Roy on their commentary with Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jennifer Jun, “The Essequibo Pressure Cooker: Runaway Nationalism and Maduro’s Compellence Strategy.”

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg and Christopher Hernandez-Roy — May 14, 2024

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The Essequibo Pressure Cooker: Runaway Nationalism and Maduro’s Compellence Strategy

Since CSIS last analyzed military activity within and nearby the disputed Essequibo territory, the Venezulean armed forces have continued to increase their presence, while rhetoric from Caracas is leading down a worrying course.

Commentary by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jennifer Jun — May 14, 2024

Audio Briefs

“Miscalculation and Escalation over the Essequibo: New Insights into the Risks of Venezuela's Compellence Strategy”: Audio Brief with Christopher Hernandez-Roy

A short, spoken-word summary from CSIS’s Christopher Hernandez-Roy on his commentary with Rubi Bledsoe, Henry Ziemer, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jennifer Jun, “Miscalculation and Escalation over the Essequibo: New Insights into the Risks of Venezuela's Compellence Strategy.”

Podcast Episode by Christopher Hernandez-Roy — February 9, 2024

Audio Briefs