South America

South America is home to major economies, significant defense and security hubs for the Western Hemisphere, and regimes that have caused significant democratic backsliding. U.S. geopolitical competition with rivals China and Russia in the region is also the fiercest of any subregion in the Western Hemisphere. CSIS experts explore fast-changing regional developments and provide recommendations for U.S. engagement with the continent.

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Is Cuba Next?

Ryan Berg and Carrie Filipetti join Will to discuss President Trump’s goals in Cuba, his range of options, and the risks and benefits of regime change. 

Podcast Episode by Will Todman and Ryan C. Berg — March 12, 2026

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Photo: iLab/CSIS

Is Cuba Next?

Podcast Episode by Will Todman and Ryan C. Berg — March 12, 2026

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Experts

Romina Bandura

Romina Bandura

Senior Fellow, Project on Prosperity and Development

All South America Content

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State of Play

Is Cuba Next?

Ryan Berg and Carrie Filipetti join Will to discuss President Trump’s goals in Cuba, his range of options, and the risks and benefits of regime change. 

Podcast Episode by Will Todman and Ryan C. Berg — March 12, 2026

Photo: iLab/CSIS
Pekingology

China’s Growing Influence in Latin America

Francisco Urdinez joins the show to unpack China’s strategy in Latin America, how regional countries have experienced China’s growing influence, how Chinese firms are replicating U.S. companies’ playbook from the early 20th century, and Chinese banks’ bad bet on Venezuela.

Podcast Episode by Henrietta Levin — February 5, 2026

CSIS Pekingology

Understanding Global South Perspectives on Taiwan

The CSIS Freeman Chair convened an international task force on to evaluate Global South perspectives on Taiwan and cross-Strait issues. This event reveals what task force members found, and why Global South powers have a critical stake in Taiwan’s future.

Event — January 28, 2026

What Just Happened in Venezuela? And What Comes Next?

What is the future of Venezuela? Is there a chance for a transition to democracy? Will the United States be able to work with a protégé of Maduro to help govern Venezuela? CSIS experts discuss the aftermath of the U.S. strike on Venezuela, addressing these questions and more.

Event — January 5, 2026

The Maduro Raid: A Military Victory with No Viable Endgame

The capture of Maduro and his wife was brilliantly executed, but Maduro’s officials remain in charge. The administration’s plans to work through these officials and ignore the opposition will likely fail, requiring additional air and missile strikes.

Commentary by Mark F. Cancian — January 5, 2026

Is Venezuela a Critical Minerals Target?

Venezuela sits on sizable gold resources—but geology alone doesn’t make a minerals power. With nationalization, informal mining, and deep governance risks, do minerals factor into U.S. strategy at all, or remain largely irrelevant?

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran — January 5, 2026

What Just Happened in Venezuela? And What Comes Next?

What is the future of Venezuela? Is there a chance for a transition to democracy? Will the United States be able to work with a protégé of Maduro to help govern Venezuela? CSIS experts discussed the aftermath of the U.S. strike on Venezuela, addressing these questions and more.

Transcript — January 5, 2026