U.S. Policy Archives - Americas Quarterly

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino looks on as US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signs a bilateral agreement, in Panama City on April 9, 2025. Hegseth arrived in Panama for the regional security summit and to reinforce the Trump administration's continued interest over the canal.

Panama’s President Mulino Is Right to Cooperate with the U.S.

Performative resistance to Trump might be gratifying, but it would undermine Panama’s most critical strategic interests, writes Mulino’s former deputy minister of foreign affairs.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez in Beijing on April 24. Why the U.S. Should Engage with Venezuela: The Trump administration is holding talks with Iran and turning its back on Maduro. Continued isolation will deepen Caracas’ reliance on U.S. adversaries.

Why the U.S. Should Engage with Venezuela

The Trump administration is holding talks with Iran and turning its back on Maduro. Continued isolation will deepen Caracas’ reliance on U.S. adversaries.

How U.S. Policy Toward Latin America May Backfire

Tariffs will squeeze the region’s economies and trade, and could drive deeper engagement with China, an expert writes.

Protesters block a highway in Totonicapán, Guatemala, in October 2023 after Indigenous leaders called for national demonstrations.

Timeline: Guatemala’s 2023 Election Crisis

Traditional powers tried to control the 2023 election, but demonstrations and international support allowed a reformer to overcome a gauntlet of challenges.

Stopping Venezuela’s Exodus Hinges on Restoring Hope

The nation’s problem is still there, and appeasing Maduro will not stem the flow of migrants, two experts write.

As Maduro Goes Rogue, Trump Has Choices to Make

The U.S. can still go beyond pragmatic deals, countering Maduro by using oil as the ultimate leverage.

Regardless of the election’s victor, the U.S. should seize the ample economic opportunities of closer ties with the rest of the hemisphere, writes AS/COA’s CEO Susan Segal.

Latin America Is an Opportunity for Trump

The region is eager for greater U.S. attention, writes AS/COA’s CEO.

Why a Normalization Strategy With Venezuela Is Not Viable

Normalization will only strengthen the ruling elites, endanger human rights, and create conditions that boost migration flow, an expert writes.

What Marco Rubio Has Said About Latin America

Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State is known for his hardline stances on dictatorships and China’s activity in the region.

REACTION: What Trump’s Victory Means for Latin America

After an unexpectedly large victory, analysts examine the likely impact for the region.

Donald Trump and the Return of the Monroe Doctrine

Another Trump term would bring increased scrutiny of Latin America’s ties with China, and uncertainty elsewhere.

In the Americas, Democrats’ “Soft Power Matters”

A continuation of Biden’s policies would promote democracy while addressing hotspots like Haiti and Venezuela, two former national security officials write.

Trump’s Vision: “Make the Americas Grow Again”

A second Trump term would focus on reviving hemispheric economic growth through nearshoring and other policies, writes a former adviser.

Timeline: U.S.-Latin America Relations Under Trump and Biden. AQ highlights the major moments in hemispheric relations under the two presidents, from USMCA to Biden’s border action.

Linha do tempo: a política dos EUA para a América Latina nos governos Trump e Biden

A AQ traça o histórico das relações dos governos Trump e Biden com países da região, do USMCA às ações de Biden na fronteira.

En las Américas, el “soft power” de Biden es relevante

Un segundo mandato de Biden seguiría promoviendo la democracia y abordaría puntos conflictivos como Haití y Venezuela, escriben dos ex funcionarios de seguridad nacional.