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35 West

by Center for Strategic and International Studies · English · News

The CSIS Americas Program podcast looks at the politics and policies of the 35 countries in the Western Hemisphere. It especially focuses on U.S. engagement with the region, whether on trade, diplomacy, or security issues like drugs and terrorism. Guests include top policymakers from the U.S. and ot

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 30 min
Latest: 1 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026 · 32 min

Paraguay’s Moment: A New Chapter for Development

Paraguay is often overlooked in South America, but it is beginning to occupy a more visible place in regional economic and geopolitical conversations. With a growing economy, clean energy resources, and longstanding diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the country is trying to position itself for a new stage of development—one that goes beyond commodities and turns growth into broader opportunities for Paraguayans. In this episode of 35 West, Associate Director Juliana Rubio sits down with Esteban Caballero, a political scientist and researcher at FLACSO Paraguay, to discuss Paraguay’s economic…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

24 Sep 2026 · 24 min
The Future of U.S. Development Finance in the Americas
As the United States places renewed emphasis on the Western Hemisphere, development finance is emerging as an important instrument of economic statecraft. Following Congress’s 2025 reauthorization and revitalization of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the agency is positioned to play an expanded role in mobilizing private capital, strengthening economic partnerships, and supporting strategic investments across the region. In this episode, Caroline Vik, Chief Policy Officer at the DFC, discusses the agency's evolving mission, investment opportunities across the…
17 Sep 2026 · 26 min
An Update on U.S.-Mexico Firearms Trafficking
In February 2025, the State Department designated six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) as part of a broader push from the Trump administration taking aim at organized crime in the Western Hemisphere. While U.S. rhetoric has continually stressed the threat posed by Mexican cartels, an overlooked component in this narrative is the fact that U.S. guns comprise the overwhelming majority of cartel arsenals. Still, the use of FTO designations opens new avenues for prosecuting firearms traffickers, most notably through the use of material support for terrorism charges. In…
10 Sep 2026 · 36 min
Will Trump’s Pressure on Canada Break the USMCA?
When faced with President Trump’s economic pressure, most U.S. allies have fallen into line. Canada bucked the trend and stood firm. This week, Chris Hernandez-Roy and Diego Marroquin Bitar are joined by State of Play host, Will Todman, to discuss if Canada can withstand U.S. pressure, what lies ahead, and what U.S.-Canada tensions mean for the future of free trade in North America. Christopher Gundermann, Hugh Grant-Chapman, and Diego Marroquín Bitar, "Understanding President Trump’s New Tariffs on Canadian Imports," CSIS, July 21, 2026. Diego Marroquín Bitar and Juan Carlos Baker Pineda,…
20 Aug 2026 · 32 min
Closer to USMCA Extension? Preliminary Agreements With Mexico and Canada
On July 1, the United States, Mexico, and Canada sat down to decide the future of their trade agreement. Mexico and Canada said yes, but the United States said no to the agreement at least in its current form. The agreement didn't end that day, but instead triggered a cycle of annual reviews that could run for the next 10 years. In this episode, Diego Marroquín Bitar sits down with Juan Carlos Baker, resident fellow with the Georgetown Americas Institute and one of the architects of the original USMCA. Together, they discuss the future of trilateral trade, recent U.S. tariff announcements,…
23 Jul 2026 · 32 min
Colombia at a Crossroads: Abelardo de la Espriella and the New Political Era
In this episode of 35 West, guest host Juliana Rubio, associate director of the CSIS Americas Program, is joined by Sergio Guzmán, co-founder and director of Colombia Risk Analysis, to discuss Colombia’s 2026 presidential election and the transition ahead. They examine Abelardo de la Espriella’s narrow victory over Iván Cepeda and what the result reveals about Colombia’s polarized political landscape. The conversation also explores De la Espriella’s hardline security platform, the future of the 2016 peace agreement, concerns from civil society, the economic agenda facing the incoming…
17 Jul 2026 · 32 min
USMCA Review Deadline
In this episode, Diego Marroquín Bitar is joined by William Alan Reinsch, senior adviser and Scholl Chair emeritus with the CSIS Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business, and Scott Miller, senior mentor of CSIS’ Executive Education. Together, following the July 1, 2026, USMCA review deadline, they discuss the U.S. decision not to renew and the future of the USMCA.
29 Jun 2026 · 30 min
Best of 35 West: Canada's Role in the Golden Dome
This episode initially aired on June 12, 2025. Following a recent CSIS Americas conference on U.S.-Canada security cooperation, this issue remains an important priority in the bilateral defense relationship. 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…
15 Jun 2026 · 29 min
USMCA Review Kicks Off
Mexico, the United States, and Canada are hosting the 2026 World Cup, and it isn’t clear whether that or the ongoing negotiations over the USMCA free trade agreement is higher stakes for North America. The July 1 deadline for the three North American countries will shape the future of nearly 2 trillion in trade and determine whether the countries renew the agreement for another 16 years or let the clock run down towards expiration in 2036. The stakes are real and the story is more complex than it has ever been with a trade deal. In this episode, Diego Marroquín Bitar sits down with William…
29 May 2026 · 29 min
Beyond Left and Right: Colombia’s 2026 Presidential Election
In this episode of 35 West, Associate Director Juliana Rubio sits down with Gabriel Cifuentes, co-founder of Greystone Consulting Group, to discuss Colombia’s upcoming May 31 presidential election. The conversation examines how Colombia’s election reflects a fragmented political landscape and a deeper debate over the future direction of the country. Rubio and Cifuentes discuss the main candidates shaping the race, the durability of President Gustavo Petro’s political project, and the growing divide between those calling for continuity and those seeking a sharper break from the current…
14 May 2026 · 27 min
Unpacking Peru's First-Round Elections
On April 12, Peruvians took to the polls to vote in the first round of elections that would decide the country’s next president. Some hoped the elections would help usher in an end to the country’s long running political crisis where no president has served out a full term since 2016. However, delays and complications in counting the votes, and fraud allegations leveled by some candidates turned the April election into its own miniature crisis. In this episode, Henry Ziemer sits down with Mitra Taj, a freelance reporter based in Lima to unpack the results of the first round of voting.…
30 Apr 2026 · 30 min
Presidential Personalities with Ignacio Arana Araya
The character and temperament of a leader can have a major impact on both the quality of governance, as well as the health and stability of democratic systems. But how exactly this manifests, as well as what the risk factors are for determining whether an elected leader might attempt a power grab while in office remain opaque, complicating the ability of voters and analysts alike to make actionable assessments of presidential personalities. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Ignacio Arana Araya, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University and author of the…
16 Apr 2026 · 34 min
Human Rights in Nicaragua
Since massive anti-government protests in Nicaragua in 2018, and a subsequent brutal government crackdown, President Daniel Ortega and his Co-President spouse, Rosario Murillo, have progressively consolidated power through systematic repression of political opposition, civil society, independent media, and religious actors. A report published March 10 by the United Nations Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of these patterns of repression and their evolution, including serious, systematic and widespread human rights violations, some…
3 Apr 2026 · 30 min
Venezuela Three Months After Absolute Resolve
It has been nearly three months since Operation Absolute Resolve and so much has happened in Venezuela. Under pressure from the United States, the country’s interim authorities, led by Delcy Rodriguez, have pushed through a raft of legislation, such as a reform to the hydrocarbons law, an amnesty law, and they are now working on a reform to the country’s mining laws. The United States still controls the international marketing and sale of Venezuela’s oil, supervising the spending of the country’s revenues. Several cabinet-level officials from the United States have visited Caracas, and some…
20 Mar 2026 · 34 min
Unpacking Costa Rica's Elections
On February 1, Costa Rica held elections to determine its next president. The vote ushered in a new political phase amid economic pressures, public dissatisfaction with traditional parties, and growing regional security challenges. The outcome of these elections carries implications not only for Costa Rica’s domestic governance, but also for democratic trends throughout Central America, regional economic cooperation, and bilateral relations with the United States. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Kevin Casas, the Secretary General of International IDEA, former Vice…
5 Mar 2026 · 33 min
Best of 35 West: LAC Fighters in Ukraine
This episode of 35 West originally aired on February 23, 2024. As the war in Ukraine passes four years of high-intensity fighting, Latin American foreign fighters are playing an increasingly key role. Recent estimates suggest that as many as 7,000 Colombians are fighting on behalf of Ukraine, while thousands of Cubans are present in Russia's ranks. Within this context, CSIS is re-releasing this special episode of 35 West. In this Best of 35 West episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, sat down with Elizabeth M.F. Grasmeder, Adjunct Professor of National Security Policy with Duke University, and…
19 Feb 2026 · 33 min
Best of 35 West: Derechos Humanos en Cuba / Human Rights in Cuba
This episode of 35 West originally aired on January 12, 2024. 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…
12 Feb 2026 · 29 min
Why Investment Uncertainty Is Holding Mexico Back
Mexico has experienced record levels of foreign direct investment in recent years, as the drive for supply chain security has created a boom in interest in Mexico’s manufacturing sector. Yet, when measured overall, investment is down in Mexico. Two issues stand out as driving investment decline: uncertainty around fiscal governance and tax regulation enforcement. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Denise Dresser, Senior Associate with the Americas Program at CSIS and professor of political science at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM). Together they discuss how…
22 Jan 2026 · 38 min
The Future of the Alberta Separatist Movement
Separatism has been a recurring but minority political current in the Canadian province of Alberta. It tends to surge during periods of high federal–provincial tension, especially when federal policies are seen as constraining Alberta’s energy sector, such as carbon pricing, environmental regulations, or pipeline approvals. Recent political developments in Canada and certain phenomena that parts of Canada share with the United States, have breathed some new life into this movement. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Randy Boissonnault, a former Member of Canada’s…
8 Jan 2026 · 47 min
Operation Just Cause and Venezuela
In December 1989, the U.S. military intervened in Panama to depose dictator Manuel Noriega. Known as Operation Just Cause, the U.S. invasion of Panama has resurfaced in public discourse as observers draw parallels between it and the large build-up of U.S. forces off the coast of Venezuela. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Ambassador Luigi Einaudi, U.S. Ambassador to the OAS from 1989 to 1993 and later former Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States. Together they unpack both the similarities and distinctions between Panama and Venezuela .…
18 Dec 2025 · 21 min
María Corina in Oslo
Last week, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado embarked on a daring journey from Venezuela to Norway to accept her Nobel Peace Price. Traveling in disguise, evading military checkpoints, and enduring rough seas, she arrived late in Oslo but nevertheless appeared on the balcony of the Grand Hotel around 2:30 am to address an assembled crowd. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Alexandra Winkler, Senior Associate with the CSIS Americas Program. Together, they discuss Alex's experience in Norway from the Nobel ceremony to the appearance of María Corina Machado, and what…
14 Nov 2025 · 29 min
After Bolivia's Elections
On October 19, Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira won the presidency in Bolivia, bringing an end to the rule of the Movimiento al Socialismo, or MAS party which had long dominated the country's politics. While the MAS defeat captured headlines, President-elect Pereira faces a difficult path ahead, facing major economic as well as security challenges. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Eduardo Gamarra, Professor of Politics and International Relations at Florida International University. Together, they discuss Pereira's path to the presidency, the economic state of Bolivia,…
30 Oct 2025 · 29 min
From Counter-narcotics to Counterterror
The United States has dramatically escalated its use of force against drug trafficking organizations in the Western Hemisphere, many of whom have also been designated as terrorist entities by the Trump administration. At a basic level, this signals a shift in U.S. national security priorities, but it also opens a host of political, legal, and practical questions about the role of military force in the fight against organized crime. In this episode, Rubi Bledsoe sits down with Aileen Teague, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and…
16 Oct 2025 · 29 min
Canada-Mexico Ties in an Era of Uncertainty
Canada and Mexico are not only the United States’ top trading partners – they are also indispensable players in North American supply chains, but have historically, approached Washington separately, preferring bilateral negotiations. Yet, as trade tensions rise with the Trump Administration’s tariffs intended to reshore manufacturing to the United States, raising questions about competitiveness, supply chains and the resilience of trilateral relations in the region, both Canada and Mexico appear to be discovering common ground, reshaping political calculations and opening new avenues for…
2 Oct 2025 · 38 min
China’s Expanding Footprint in Mexico
China’s presence in Mexico has grown dramatically over the past two decades. While Chinese investment across Latin America has been commodity-driven, in Mexico the story is different. Chinese firms are embedding themselves in manufacturing supply chains, wholesale trade, telecommunications, and real estate – with over 800 companies active in Mexico as of 2025. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Heidi Jane Smith, professor of economics at La Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. Together, they unpack Beijing's strategy for engagement with Mexico, and the data behind China's…
18 Sep 2025 · 29 min
Unlocking the Potential of U.S.-Latin America Education Exchange
For decades, educational exchanges have served as a cornerstone of U.S. soft power, aimed at promoting goodwill, cross-cultural understanding, and enduring regional partnerships with Latin America and the Caribbean. Each year, more than 80,000 students from the region pursue studies in the United States and more than 30,000 Americans study abroad in the region. In this episode, Juliana Rubio sits down with Gerardo Blanco, associate professor of Higher Education and Academic Director of the Center for International Higher Education at Boston College. Together, they discuss the benefits of…
4 Sep 2025 · 27 min
Taiwan in the Western Hemisphere: A Status Update
Seven countries in Latin America and the Caribbean recognize Taiwan in lieu of the People’s Republic of China, the most of any other region in the world. However, the number of formal Taiwan allies has been in steady decline, particularly since 2017 when Panama changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing and joined the Belt and Road Initiative. Today, Taiwan’s status among its remaining allies appears to be under increasing pressure. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Henry Large, a Rhodes Scholar and Doctoral candidate in Latin American Studies at the University of…
21 Aug 2025 · 34 min
A Conversation with Secretary General Albert Ramdin
Since its founding in 1948, the Organization of American States (OAS) has served as the premier forum for advancing regional priorities facing the Western Hemisphere, becoming the oldest and only multilateral institution that provides a platform for dialogue and cooperation to all countries in the hemisphere. On March 10 of this year, the OAS member states elected Albert Ramdin, Suriname’s former Foreign Minister, as the organization’s new Secretary General, becoming the first Caribbean representative to head the organization in its history. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits…
7 Aug 2025 · 36 min
Judicial Independence and Competitiveness in Mexico
This June, Mexico held its first-ever nationwide judicial elections to determine the justices who would serve at the state and local levels throughout the country, and even on the Supreme Court itself. In an overall confusing affair, the vote drew just 13 percent turnout, while nearly a quarter of the few ballots that were cast were spoiled or left blank. But the chaos of the election is likely only a prelude, as the victors begin to take office a major shakeup in Mexico’s legal system is on the horizon. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Arturo Sarukhan, Senior…
24 Jul 2025 · 29 min
Best of 35 West: Impediment to Change or Last Resort? The ICC Case Against the Maduro Regime
This episode of 35 West originally aired on October 17, 2024. 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…

About 35 West

35 West is a English news podcast from Center for Strategic and International Studies. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Center for Strategic and International Studies
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 30 min
Latest episode: 1 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1476872871

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