35 West

As a NATO and NORAD member, Canada plays a crucial role in North American continental defense. With the United States now pursuing an expanded continental missile defense posture dubbed the Golden Dome, the Canada-U.S. relationship may be entering a new phase. While the Golden Dome could prove beneficial in advancing Canada's security strategy, it remains unclear what Canada's involvement would actually look like, how much protection it would receive under the Golden Dome, and to what extent President Trump's annexation rhetoric will undermine the Canadian public's willingness to entertain the missile defense initiative. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Phillippe Lagassé, Associate Professor with the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University. Together they discuss Canada's historical position on continental missile defense, changes to the threat landscape faced by Canada, and how the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney is approaching defense modernization priorities. They also discuss the effect of ongoing U.S.-Canada tensions on the likelihood that Canada will move forward with participation in the Golden Dome.

With the Indo-Pacific an increasingly volatile region, successive U.S. administrations have sought to shift semiconductor manufacturing back to the Western Hemisphere in general and United States in particular. However, a push to shift the balance of semiconductor production away from Asia also creates opportunities for Mexico, which could be well-positioned to complement the United States' industrial policy as well as grow its own microelectronics industry. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Jesús Silva Elizalde, Associate Director of ITSI Program Operations at Arizona State University and a Research Fellow with the U.S.-Mexico Foundation. Together, they discuss the state of U.S.-Mexico semiconductor cooperation, and Mexico's strategy to further develop its chips industry. They also unpack the ways in which tensions between the two countries risk undermining the potential for increased semiconductor supply chain security, and what the Sheinbaum and Trump administrations can do moving forward.

Prime Minister Mark Carney led the Liberal Party to a narrow victory in Canada's pivotal election in April 28. Running a campaign centered on uniting Canadians against U.S. President Trump's annexation threats and punitive tariffs, Mr. Carney orchestrated a remarkable political comeback for the Liberals, who had been expected to suffer a landslide defeat until a few months earlier. Despite the win, Mr. Carney now faces the steep challenge of governing with a minority. His ability to deliver on domestic issues will shape his legacy as much as his handling of relations with Washington. Balancing these priorities will not be an easy task, and Prime Minister Carney has no time to waste. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Andrew Potter, author and associate professor at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. Together, they discuss the factors that shaped the election, and the challenges confronting Prime Minister Carney, and Canada as a whole. They also discuss the future of the Canadian Conservative Party under the continued leadership of Pierre Poilievre.

President Trump's return to the White House has brought a radical shift in U.S.-Mexico ties, reshaping relations between the two neighbors. Within his first 100 days in office, the U.S. President declared a “national emergency” at the southern border, directed U.S. troops to help seal it, designated several Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and threatened to impose tariffs on Mexican imports unless tougher action is taken to curb the flow of fentanyl and migrants. While Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has so far proven capable of navigating President Trump's hardline negotiation style, the road ahead for U.S-Mexico security cooperation remains uncertain. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Cecilia Farfán-Méndez, Head of the North American Observatory at the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime. Together, they discuss the security challenges faced by Mexico, as well as the stresses and opportunities presented by the second Trump administration for U.S.-Mexico cooperation. They also delve into the differences in President Sheinbaum's security policy and where there may be signs of a shifting approach from her predecessor.

On March 23, newly minted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called snap elections for April 28, kicking off a 37-day sprint campaign to determine Canada's future at a critical moment. The race puts incumbent Prime Minister Carney—who assumed leadership of the Liberal Party following Justin Trudeau's resignation as prime minister—, head-to-head with Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party. Regardless of who comes out on top, the next leader of Canada will inherit a tense relationship with the United States, public pressure at home to revive Canada's economy, and an increasingly fraught global security environment that tests Canada's sovereignty. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Paul Wells, a veteran journalist and author on Canadian politics and public affairs. Together, they discuss the key issues framing this election, the reasons for the Liberal Party's surge in the polls, and how the next Canadian leader will approach an increasingly fraught relationship with the United States.

On February 9th, Ecuadorians headed to the polls for the first round of presidential elections. While there was little surprise about who the two frontrunners would be, the results turned out to be much tighter than many polls had predicted. Incumbent President Daniel Noboa led with 44.17 percent, just ahead of Luisa González of the Revolución Ciudadana party who garnered 44 percent. The narrow margin revealed the nation's deep polarization, setting the stage for a second electoral round on April 13 that promises to be a close showdown. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Will Freeman, Fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Together, they discussed the key challenges Ecuador faces in the security and economic space that have defined the race. How both candidates are seeking to appeal to undecided voters, and what the outcome will mean for U.S.-Ecuador relations at a fraught moment in global politics.

Climate change and the reduction in sea ice is opening new shipping routes, and making it easier to tap the arctic's natural resource wealth, especially critical minerals. For Canada, a country where the arctic represents 40 percent of its territory and 75 percent of its coastline, the changing arctic presents new challenges and opportunities. However, Canada's sovereignty over its vast arctic territory is exercised by only a very small military presence on land and occasionally at sea. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Vincent Rigby, senior adviser with the CSIS Americas Program and professor at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. Together, they discuss Canada's current force posture in the arctic and priorities for bolstering Canadian sovereignty there. They also examine current U.S.-Canada tensions, and how Ottawa can manage these without sacrificing the need for cooperation and interoperability with the United States to tackle threats in and through the arctic.

As one of his first actions in office, U.S. president Donald Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance pending review for alignment with U.S. foreign policy goals. Subsequent moves by the administration, including the aggressive downsizing and de facto elimination of the U.S. Agency for International Development have roiled Washington and resulted in far-reaching implications. Within the Western Hemisphere, the Andean region, particularly Colombia, stands to be one of the areas most impacted by these funding freezes. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Elizabeth Dickinson, Senior Analyst for the Andes at Crisis Group. Together, they discuss how the cutoff of U.S. assistance is impacting security and counter-narcotics efforts in Colombia. They also explore the openings that the end of U.S. assistance creates for other powers to enter the security assistance space, particularly the European Union and China.

Gunfire on Haitian airports and an assault on the largest public hospital show that even the country's critical infrastructure is not immune to gang violence. Massacres in November and December, claiming over 350 lives, prompted many aid organizations to pull up stakes. While the announcement of elections scheduled for mid-November this year sparked a glimmer of hope, past postponements, the deepening security crisis and the suspension of U.S. assistance to the Multinational Security Support Mission, cast doubts on whether they will ever materialize. 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. They also explore how the Trump administration will approach Haiti policy and the question of international security assistance.

On Sunday, Ecuadorians will return to the polls for the second time in less than two years to elect a new president. Incumbent Daniel Noboa, who has governed for a mere 18 months since his predecessor Guillermo Lasso disbanded the national assembly and called snap elections in 2023, hopes to win a full term. He faces a crowded field of some 15 other candidates, most notably Luisa González, who narrowly lost to Noboa in 2023 and represents the powerful Citizen Revolution party in the legislature. In this episode, Sebastián Hurtado, President and Founder of the Quito-based political risk consultancy Prófitas returns to 35 West to sit down with Ryan C. Berg. Together, they discuss President Noboa's legacy from his abbreviated first term, including the economic and security environment facing Ecuador as the election approaches. They also discuss the implications of the election for U.S.-Ecuador relations under the second Trump administration.

This episode of 35 West originally aired on June 20, 2024. The global energy transition will require a simultaneous mining revolution. However, reaching the levels of production needed to achieve net zero goals is no small feat, while China's dominance in the midstream of critical minerals supply chains presents risks to both the United States and minerals producers in the Western Hemisphere alike. In this "Best of 35 West" episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Dr. Gustavo Lagos Cruz-Coke, Professor of Engineering and Mines at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Together, they unpack the challenges and opportunities facing the mining industry in Latin America and the view from Chile towards China's expansion in this strategic sector. They also discuss the role of U.S. efforts to reorient mineral supply chains through the Inflation Reduction Act and Minerals Security Partnership, and why such policies have yet to gain significant traction in the region. 

In early December, the European Union and Southern Common Market, better known as Mercosur, reached an agreement on a trade deal. This announcement represented the culmination of more than two decades of negotiations between the EU and Mercosur countries, which had progressed off and on since 1999. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Lauri Tähtinen, a non-resident senior associate with CSIS. Together, they discuss the history of the agreement and why it has finally come to fruition, as well as some of the remaining disputes that could continue to threaten the deal. They also discuss the geopolitical implications, particularly with respect to China and the new U.S. administration, of what will be the largest free trade area in the world.

The re-election of President Donald Trump has sent reverberations throughout Mexico and Canada, the United States' closest neighbors and largest trading partners. Of particular concern is Trump's threat to impose tariffs on Canadian and Mexican exports into the United States, a threat which will undoubtedly color U.S. relations with its two neighbors and provides an insight into the likely directions of a Trump administration trade policy, which will emphasize striking an accord on sensitive issues like trade deficits, migration and border security, and defense.  In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Dr. Meredith Lilly, Professor and Simon Reisman Chair in International Economic Policy at Carleton University and former Foreign Affairs and International Trade Advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Together, they discuss the state of U.S.-Canada relations and how they are likely to evolve under the Trump administration. They also delve into the ways North America as a whole may be impacted, and the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement which Trump helped negotiate in his first term.

This episode of 35 West originally aired on May 16, 2024. Following recent announcements that the incoming Trump Administration would consider tariffs on Mexico and Canada unless the two countries act to stop the flow of illegal drugs and irregular migration, many of the topics discussed have only grown in relevance. In 2023, U.S. trade with Mexico grew to nearly $800 billion, leading Mexico to surpass both Canada and China as the United States' number one trading partner. While U.S.-Mexico trade has long been a pillar of North American economic competitiveness, Washington's efforts to move trade away from China in favor of nearshoring and friendshoring in the Western Hemisphere, coupled with the advantages of a modernized trade agreement in the form of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has underpinned this increase in bilateral trade and investment. At the same time, Chinese investment in Mexico has skyrocketed, with estimates finding that in 2022 Chinese foreign direct investment in Mexico was more than double that of 2018. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Kenneth Smith Ramos, Chief Trade Negotiator for Mexico from 2017 to 2018 and one of the architects of USMCA. Together, they discuss the evolution of USMCA since its entry into force in 2020, with a focus on the recent surge of Chinese investment in Mexico, understanding the nature of this investment, as well as the potential challenges it may present. They also discuss the upcoming 2026 Joint Review of the agreement, and what can be done by all three countries to lay the groundwork for a more constructive session.

Bound together by tight trade links, cultural ties, as well as mutual defense partnerships like NATO and NORAD, the U.S.-Canada relationship has deep roots. However, the relationship is not without its challenges, especially as Canada appears to drag its feet on U.S. requests that it scale up defense spending to meet rising global security challenges. One area where the United States and Canada could nevertheless find fertile ground for greater cooperation however is on securing mineral supply chains. In this episode, Henry Ziemer sits down with Abigail Hunter, Executive Director of the Center for Critical Mineral Strategy at SAFE. Together, they discuss the state of U.S.-Canada cooperation on critical minerals projects, lingering obstacles, and the kinds of incentives needed to galvanize greater supply chain security. They also discuss how the two countries can work together to effectively push back against China's domination of mineral refining and processing infrastructure.

On Sunday, October 27, Uruguay held the first round of its presidential elections. While the smoothness of Uruguay's election may come as a breath of fresh air in a region where orderly political transitions can at times be luxuries, the outcome of the presidential race will have important domestic and foreign policy implications for Uruguay. In this special episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Mauro Casa, a Uruguayan political analyst. Together, they discuss the key issues in the election, and what can be expected as the country heads to a runoff in November. They also delve into U.S.-Uruguay dynamics, and how Washington and Montevideo can maintain a productive relationship with Washington irrespective of who wins the presidency in either country.

Since the blatant electoral fraud that took place on July 28, the Maduro regime in Venezuela has sought to repress its way out of mass protests demanding political change. The regime's heavy-handed crackdown comes at a time when the International Criminal Court has already been investigating Venezuela for alleged crimes against humanity. As the regime seeks to silence dissent and close the civic space, this pending case may represent one of the few remaining levers the international community can apply to instill restraint, but only if such an approach is carefully considered. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Santiago Canton, Secretary General of the International Commission of Jurists and a member of the Panel of Independent International Experts on the Possible Commission of Crimes against Humanity in Venezuela of the Organization of American States. Together, they discuss the state of the ICC's investigation and how it is likely to develop in light of the abuses the regime has committed in the past three months. They also delve into the debate around whether the ICC case represents an impediment to political change, or if it remains a useful means of applying pressure on the regime.

International diplomatic and economic pressure on Maduro will be decisive in determining whether his ongoing attempts to steal the results of Venezuela's July 28 election will prevail, or if there is potential for change ahead of the official inauguration in January 2025. While the United States has condemned the results in Venezuela, regional heavyweights like Brazil have taken a different approach, refusing to officially recognize Maduro as the victor, but simultaneously avoiding harsh criticism of the regime's actions. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Thiago de Aragão, a senior associate with CSIS and CEO of Arko Advice, a political risk analysis firm based in Brazil. Together, they discuss the international community's response to developments in Venezuela, with a specific focus on Brazil's approach. They also unpack the international implications of Maduro's electoral fraud for the Western Hemisphere as a whole, and Venezuela's efforts to join the BRICS grouping.

In recent years, feminist foreign policy has emerged as a transformative approach to international relations, focusing on the promotion of gender equality, human rights, and inclusive governance on the global stage. One of the key drivers of feminist foreign policy is its ability to reshape the way states interact with one another. Unlike traditional policies that often prioritize military strength or economic power, feminist foreign policy places emphasis on cooperation, dialogue, and addressing the root causes of conflict—such as inequality and exclusion.  In this episode, Juliana Rubio sits down with Ambassador Arlene B. Tickner, Colombia's Ambassador At-Large for Gender Issues and Feminist Global Policy. Together, they discuss the origins and implementation of Colombia's feminist foreign policy agenda. They also analyze how Colombia's approach to human security represents an important counter-narrative to mano dura hardline security policies in the region.

Bound together by geography, commerce, and cultural ties, the Caribbean region is often referred to as the United States “third border.” For this reason, the security challenges that impact the Caribbean should also be front-of-mind for the United States, especially as Caribbean countries face rising levels of violence and instability, fueled by the drug trade. Growing criminal violence, endemic corruption, and the growth of illicit industries present not just a public safety challenge, they increasingly threaten the very sovereignty and stability of Caribbean governments. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, Senior Associate with the CSIS Americas Program. Together, they discuss his book Challenged Sovereignty: The Impact of Drugs, Crime, Terrorism, and Cyber Threats in the Caribbean. They discuss longstanding security issues facing Caribbean countries from drug and arms trafficking, as well as emergent challenges like cybercrime and terrorism.

China's economic strategy has evolved significantly over the past decade. Where once the PRC served as “the world's factory,” today Chinese companies are increasingly looking to internationalize their operations. Latin America has been emblematic of these changes, in particular Chinese investment flows into regional electric vehicle manufacturing have raised eyebrows among economic security analysts. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Christine Murray, Mexico and Central America correspondent for the Financial Times. Together they assess current trends in China-Mexico economic relations and how these might evolve under the new administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum. They also examine key countries in Central America like Panama and Guatemala, which will play a critical role in China's economic future in the region.

Throughout the Western Hemisphere ports play a critical role in fostering economic growth, and serving as gateways through which the region engages a world that is eager for it to play a greater role in global value chains. At the same time, the region's ports have made headlines for their role in the burgeoning trans-oceanic trade in illicit narcotics, gold, timber, and wildlife, while port cities consistently rank as some of the most violent locales in Latin America and the Caribbean. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Douglas Farah, President of IBI Consultants. Together, they discuss the growing relevance of ports for criminal organizations to move illicit goods across oceans and national borders, as well as best practices for addressing these challenges. They also delve into China's growing role into the Western Hemisphere's port infrastructure and the potential vulnerabilities this may pose for the region. 

Space has long been colored by divides between the “haves” who possess the economic and technological wherewithal to make it to orbit and beyond, and the “have-nots” who lack these capabilities. This divide in turn has historically played out between the Global North and the Global South, with the latter grouping feeling as if they have been excluded from sharing in the benefits of space exploration. However, this is only part of the picture. As space becomes both increasingly critical and accessible, there is a need for a more nuanced understanding of how a broader set of global players view the issues surrounding these capabilities. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Laura Delgado López, a Visiting Fellow with the CSIS Americas Program. Together, they discuss the evolving and divergent space policies that can be found throughout Latin America. They also unpack her new report Orbital Dynamics: The Domestic and Foreign Policy Forces Shaping Latin American Engagement in Space and some of the key findings from this yearlong investigation into regional perspectives on space policy and international engagement. 

Firearms trafficking is fueling violence across the hemisphere by providing criminal groups the arms and means necessary to violently expand their businesses, threaten citizens, and even challenge government forces. While the United States is by far the largest single supplier of firearms to Latin America and the Caribbean, a plethora of other sources, from unsecured military and police stockpiles, to artisanal and 3D-printed weapons, to alternative suppliers in Turkey and Europe, all contribute to this challenge. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Andrei Serbin Pont, Executive Director of the Economic and Social Studies Regional Coordinator (CRIES-LAC). Together, they discussed shifting trends in firearms trafficking patterns, the synergies that exist between the illegal gun and drug trades, and how the United States and better partner with its regional allies to curb illicit arms. They also discuss Andrei's work on the Small Arms-Light Weapons Dashboard project, and the ways in which emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are revolutionizing open-source intelligence work on studying organized crime. 

Almost every corner of the Western Hemisphere has been touched by the monumental challenge of irregular migration. However, addressing the multifaceted and context-specific manifestations of irregular migration is no small feat. An effective response to the migratory movements we are observing therefore hinges on cooperation with partners in the region at all levels, on-the-ground knowledge, and close cooperation with and within the U.S. government. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Michael Camilleri, Acting Assistant Administrator of USAID's Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean. Together, they discuss the origins, importance, and implementation of the U.S. strategy for addressing the root causes of migration in Central America. They also delved into USAID's work to help confront emerging challenges such as climate change, support integration of migrants within the region, and strengthen partnerships with governments and civil societies.

The global energy transition will require a simultaneous mining revolution. However, reaching the levels of production needed to achieve net zero goals is no small feat, while China's dominance in the midstream of critical minerals supply chains presents risks to both the United States and minerals producers in the Western Hemisphere alike. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Dr. Gustavo Lagos Cruz-Coke, Professor of Engineering and Mines at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Together, they unpack the challenges and opportunities facing the mining industry in Latin America and the view from Chile towards China's expansion in this strategic sector. They also discuss the role of U.S. efforts to reorient mineral supply chains through the Inflation Reduction Act and Minerals Security Partnership, and why such policies have yet to gain significant traction in the region. 

On June 2, nearly 60 million people cast their votes for the next president of Mexico, making it the largest election in Mexico's history. However, the race was also marred by electoral violence, with more than three dozen candidates or prospective candidates murdered over the electoral season. Intimidation, coercion, and threats to family members further compelled many prospective candidates to withdraw from the race, illustrating the corrosive impact of violence and impunity for democratic institutions. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Chris Dalby, Director of World of Crime and author of the new book CJNG – A Quick Guide to Mexico's Deadliest Cartel. Together, they 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. They also delve into the ways the United States and Mexico can reset security cooperation which has deteriorated in recent years.

This episode of 35 West originally aired on December 20, 2023. Now, just days away from the election, many of topics discussed have only grown in relevance over the course of the official campaign season. Mexico's general election on June 2 of 2024 promises to be a seminal moment for Mexican politics and society on a number of fronts, in particular, the race has made headlines as a contest between two women, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum on one hand, and Senator Xóchitl Gálvez on the other, promising to herald Mexico's first female president. But the race is also a test of the staying power of current President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's Morena Party, and whether its breakout success in 2018 can be translated into sustained influence over Mexican politics. In this special episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Alma Caballero, Northern Latin America Managing Director at McLarty Associates. Together, they discuss the policy positions of the frontrunners, the challenges that will face either a Gálvez or a Sheinbaum government, and the influence President López Obrador is likely to wield over Mexico's political environment even after departing office. They also delve into questions of security, and the threat organized crime may pose to the electoral process next year.

In 2023, U.S. trade with Mexico grew to nearly $800 billion, leading Mexico to surpass both Canada and China as the United States' number one trading partner. While U.S.-Mexico trade has long been a pillar of North American economic competitiveness, Washington's efforts to move trade away from China in favor of nearshoring and friendshoring in the Western Hemisphere, coupled with the advantages of a modernized trade agreement in the form of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has underpinned this increase in bilateral trade and investment. At the same time, Chinese investment in Mexico has skyrocketed, with estimates finding that in 2022 Chinese foreign direct investment in Mexico was more than double that of 2018.  In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Kenneth Smith Ramos, Chief Trade Negotiator for Mexico from 2017 to 2018 and one of the architects of USMCA. Together, they discuss the evolution of USMCA since its entry into force in 2020, with a focus on the recent surge of Chinese invesment in Mexico, understanding the nature of this investment, as well as the potential challenges it may present. They also discuss the upcoming 2026 Joint Review of the agreement, and what can be done by all three countries to lay the groundwork for a more constructive session.

On Sunday, May 5, Panamanians will cast their votes to determine the next president, as well as all members of the National Assembly. With a crowded field of candidates vying for the presidency, and only a single round to determine the victor, it promises to be a divided field. The elections are also taking place within a deeply polarized context, as Panama has been rocked by mass protests against the Cobre Panama Mining project, the country grapples with both a worsening water crisis, and the endemic challenge of corruption continues to loom large. In this special episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Annette Planells, a civil society leader and anticorruption activist, and Executive President of the newspaper La Prensa. Together, they discuss the election's implications for Panama's ongoing fight against corruption, especially in light of the disqualification of ex-president and former frontrunner Ricardo Martinelli following his conviction on bribery charges. They also reflect on how the various candidates will navigate some of the most salient questions in Panamanian politics today, including water insecurity, infrastructure, as well as Panama's relations with both China and the United States. 

Looking across the hemisphere today, crime and insecurity appears on the march, with transnational criminal groups ascendant from Mexico to the Caribbean and southern cone. In light of this, it is important to reflect upon the history of U.S.-LAC security cooperation, where we have seen two major, multi-year security initiatives launched and concluded in the past 25 years, Plan Colombia, and the Mérida Initiative.   In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Dr. Paul Angelo, Director of the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies at National Defense University. Together, they discuss his new book From Peril to Partnership: US Security Assistance and the Bid to Stabilize Colombia and Mexico. They trace the divergent origins and outcomes of both Plan Colombia and the Mérida Initiative, as well as the current security challenges facing the hemisphere. 

Semiconductors form the building blocks of modern digital life. Chips govern everything from missile guidance systems to the headlights in your car, and the fight for the cutting edge of this technology appears to be entering a new phase. The United States, in partnership with allies like Japan and the Netherlands, has sought to cut off China's access to advanced chip designs and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. In response, China has announced a raft of export controls on minerals needed to produce modern chips, leveraging its dominance in the supply chain for mining and refining key minerals. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Dr. Chris Miller, Associate Professor with the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and author of Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology. Together, they analyze the challenges and choke points in the semiconductor supply chain, including the need to identify and certify alternative suppliers, as well as the role that countries in the Western Hemisphere can play in breaking China's monopoly over the raw material inputs for semiconductors. They also unpack the challenges to getting more mining, refining, and processing online, and how the United States can better partner with allies to shore up this sector of the supply chain.

Haiti's years-long political and security crisis entered a new phase last week when Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Haiti's acting head of state since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, announced his resignation. Now, Haiti faces a period of profound uncertainty, with a serious power vacuum in government, ascendant criminal groups within striking distance of the halls of state power, and increasingly narrow prospects for a long-awaited international aid mission. 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 unpack the implications of Henry's resignation, the recent surge in gang activity, as well as what the future may hold as Haiti continues to struggle to come to terms with citizen security. They also discuss the reactions of Haitian civil society, and the lack of substantial action on the part of the international community.

Citizens from LAC countries have also played a more direct role in the conflict as foreign fighters for both sides. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv publish exact data on the number or nationality of LAC fighters who join their ranks, but estimates range from several hundred to more than a thousand fighters total spread across each front.  On February 23, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, sat down with Elizabeth M.F. Grasmeder, Adjunct Professor of National Security Policy with Duke University, and Andrei Serbin Pont, Executive Director of CRIES-LAC, for a conversation on X (formerly Twitter) about the role of foreign fights from LAC on both sides in Ukraine. Together, they unpacked the motivations of fighters for joining both Ukraine and Russia, why Moscow and Kyiv have turned to recruiting foreign fighters, and the broader implications of war in Ukraine for Latin American countries. 

On Sunday, February 4, Salvadorans headed to the polls to cast their votes in what virtually all analysts predicted would yield a landslide victory for incumbent President Nayib Bukele. However, official confirmation of Bukele's victory was interrupted as the president declared the opposition was “pulverized” before the final transmission of the votes had been completed and announced by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. While this appears to have been resolved in Bukele's favor, with the tribunal officially announcing Bukele's victory with some 83 percent of the vote, this incident is but the latest in a steady march of democratic backsliding in El Salvador, one where Bukele has shown contempt for any effort to check his executive authority. In this special episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Noah Bullock, Executive Director of Cristosal, a leading human rights organization which has been closely tracking the infringements upon civil and political rights under the Bukele administration. Together, they unpack the consequences of El Salvador's presidential elections, what to expect under a second Bukele term, and how the United States should respond.

Last month, Ecuador was rocked by a series of attacks carried out by members of criminal gangs. Over the course of two days of grueling violence, inmates rioted and took over prisons, gangs detonated car bombs across the country, and armed gunmen even stormed a live television broadcast in the violence-wracked city of Guayaquil. Then a few days later, the prosecutor investigating the attack on the TV station was gunned-down in cold blood. In response, newly-elected President Daniel Noboa has mobilized the armed forces and declared a state of “internal armed conflict” along with designating some 22 criminal groups as terrorist organizations. In this episode, Sebastián Hurtado, President and Founder of the Quito-based political risk consultancy Prófitas returns to 35 West to sit down with Christopher Hernandez-Roy. Together, they analyze the causes and consequences of spiking violence in Ecuador, the pressures Noboa faces to deliver quick results, and the challenges facing the Ecuadorian government's attempts to regain control over prisons and tamp down on ascendant criminal groups.

In the months since Bernardo Arevalo's upset victory in Guatemala's presidential elections, a small elite often referred as “the pact of the corrupt,” has tried to derail the president-elect from taking office. In response, the United States imposed visa restrictions on nearly 300 Guatemalan congressmen and business leaders, while the Organization of American States, other international organizations and civil society raised mounting cries to respect the outcome of the election. For the time being, their tireless efforts appear to have paid off, with President Arrevalo taking office on January 14th, but only after a last-ditch effort by members in congress to block him.  In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Ambassador Frank O. Mora, U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States. Together, they shine a spotlight on the efforts of Guatemalan civil society, the OAS and the U.S. to defend democracy from efforts to overturn electoral results. They also look ahead to upcoming elections in the hemisphere, and analyze the role of the United States and OAS in safeguarding election integrity, and resisting democratic backsliding.

En esta edición especial en español, Christopher Hernández-Roy, Director Adjunto y Senior Fellow del Programa sobre las Américas, conversa con Yaxys Cires, Director de Estrategia del Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos sobre los resultados del último Examen Periódico Universal de Cuba del Consejo de Derechos Humanos de Naciones Unidas. Analizan la dicotomía entre la retórica gubernamental y la triste realidad de los derechos humanos en Cuba así como la profunda crisis económica que atraviesa la isla y cómo el régimen de Díaz-Canel ha respondido a estas presiones. In this special Spanish-language episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow with the Americas Program, sits down with Yaxys Cires, Director of Strategy at the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights to discuss the recent United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Cuba. They discuss the dichotomy between the government's rhetoric and the sad reality of Cuba's human rights record. They also discuss the mounting economic crisis facing the island and how the Díaz-Canel government has responded to these pressures. 

Mexico's general election on June 2 of 2024 promises to be a seminal moment for Mexican politics and society on a number of fronts, in particular, the race has made headlines as a contest between two women, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum on one hand, and Senator Xóchitl Gálvez on the other, promising to herald Mexico's first female president. But the race is also a test of the staying power of current President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's Morena Party, and whether its breakout success in 2018 can be translated into sustained influence over Mexican politics. In this special episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Alma Caballero, Northern Latin America Managing Director at McLarty Associates. Together, they discuss the policy positions of the frontrunners, the challenges that will face either a Gálvez or a Sheinbaum government, and the influence President López Obrador is likely to wield over Mexico's political environment even after departing office. They also delve into questions of security, and the threat organized crime may pose to the electoral process next year.

En este episodio especial en español, Laura Delgado López, becaria visitante del programa de las Américas, se sienta a conversar con Victoria Valdivia Cerda, profesora de la Academia Nacional de Estudios Políticos y Estratégicos (ANEPE) y experta en política y derecho espacial. Ellas conversan sobre las distintas formas en que los países latinoamericanos enfocan su actividad espacial, incluyendo el desarrollo tecnológico, la cooperación internacional y el impacto de la competencia entre grandes potencias en los programas espaciales de la región. También, discuten el desarrollo de capacidades espaciales de doble uso, los riesgos de las armas antisatélite y cómo sus implicaciones van más allá del sector espacial.   In this special Spanish-language episode, Laura Delgado López, visiting fellow with the Americas Program, sits down with Victoria Valdivia Cerda, professor at the National Academy of Political and Strategic Studies (ANEPE) and expert in space policy and law. They discuss the different ways in which Latin American countries approach space activities, including technology development, international cooperation, and the impact of great power competition on regional space programs. They also discuss the development of dual-use space capabilities, the risks of anti-satellite weapons and how their implications go beyond the space sector.

On October 29, more than ten thousand elected positions, from local councils to departmental governors, throughout Colombia went up for election. The results confirmed predictions of setbacks for President Gustavo Petro's governing Pacto Histórico coalition, which lost races in key cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, in addition to several governorships. In this special episode, Juliana Rubio sits down with Sergio Guzmán, the Director of Colombia Risk Analysis. Together, they explore the key trends shaping the electoral environment, and delve into a couple of key races such as the Bogotá mayoral election. They also outline ways in which the Petro government may react, and prospects for the president to push forward his ambitious agenda within a more divided political context.

On Sunday, October 15, following a race that appeared neck-and-neck at several points, Daniel Noboa emerged victorious as Ecuador's youngest elected president. Noboa's victory over opponent Luisa González, the handpicked representative of former president Rafael Correa, signaled a desire for a change among the electorate, not only a departure from the outgoing Lasso government, but also a rejection of efforts to campaign off of nostalgia for the early Correa years. Yet whether Noboa, son of one of the country's wealthiest businessmen, can deliver the kinds of novel change needed to pull Ecuador out of both a flagging economic situation and spiraling security crisis remains to be seen. In this special episode, Sebastián Hurtado, President and Founder of the Quito-based political risk consultancy Prófitas returns to 35 West to sit down with Christopher Hernandez-Roy. Together, they discuss the implications of Noboa's victory for Ecuador-U.S. relations, Noboa's agenda, and how he might plan to work with a divided legislature to deliver on key campaign promises.