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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Canadian Membership in AUKUS: A Time for Action

CSIS Americas deputy director and senior fellow Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Senior Adviser Vincent Rigby, and Henry Ziemer make the case for Canadian membership in AUKUS, as an alliance that goes far beyond submarines.

Commentary by Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Vincent Rigby, and Henry Ziemer — May 9, 2023

Ensuring the Biden-Fernández Meeting Matters

CSIS Americas adviser Juan O. Cruz and Henry Ziemer argue that for Biden's meeting with President Alberto Fernández to be a success, the United States must be prepared to strengthen cooperation on human rights and deepen security ties to Argentina.

Commentary by Juan Cruz and Henry Ziemer — July 22, 2022

Challenges and Opportunities for the Inter-American Defense Board

CSIS Americas senior fellow Ryan C. Berg and Military Fellow Chris Bernotavicius outline the history and present-day importance of the Inter-American Defense Board for promoting hemispheric security.

Commentary by Ryan C. Berg and Chris Bernotavicius — July 6, 2022

The Future of Security in Venezuela

Please join Ryan C. Berg, Director of the CSIS Future of Venezuela Initiative for a virtual webinar discussion on the deterioration of security and defense in Venezuela.

Event — December 20, 2021

What Happens Next in Venezuela?

CSIS’s Moses Rendon argues that what happens next in Venezuela is highly uncertain, especially as the prevalence of narcotrafficking, massive corruption, money laundering, and criminal networks within the Maduro regime elevates the cost to find a peaceful transition.

Commentary by Moises Rendon — May 10, 2019

Lessons from Venezuela for Nicaragua

While recent events in Nicaragua certainly differ from Venezuela’s experiences of the past four years, there is a clear consensus that the Ortega regime is following a similar path to that of Nicolas Maduro, writes Moises Rendon with the CSIS Americas Program.

Commentary by Moises Rendon and Mia Kazman — December 13, 2018

Maduro’s Mafia State

At a recent event hosted by CSIS Americas Program, both Ambassador Brownfield and Juan Zarate offered some thoughts on how the international community can help Venezuela during “Day After” challenges, as Moises Rendon writes in his new commentary.

Commentary by Moises Rendon and Mia Kazman — October 31, 2018