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Latin America

Ruling Venezuela with a 2,000 Mile Hammer is Not Likely to End Well

Michael C. Casey

Ruling Venezuela with a 2,000 Mile Hammer is Not Likely to End Well

EXPERT OPINION — Rule by proxy just isn’t as simple as the Trump Administration wants to make it sound. While the long-term goals of the [...] More

AmericasLatin America

The Latest

Venezuela’s Key Takeaways for the World

Venezuela’s Key Takeaways for the World

CIPHER BRIEF EXPERT INTERVIEW – While the U.S. operation to detain Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro took just hours to execute, a full assessment [...] More

AmericasBrad ChristianLatin America

High Risk in Venezuela—To What End?

Walter Pincus

High Risk in Venezuela—To What End?

OPINION — “I knew the possible danger. It was a very dangerous operation. It was amazing that we had a few injured, but all are in good shape right [...] More

AmericasLatin AmericaWalter PincusFine Print
After Venezuela, What Is Next in 2026?

After Venezuela, What Is Next in 2026?

CIPHER BRIEF EXPERT Q&A — President Donald Trump said the U.S. is "in charge" in Venezuela after U.S. forces detained President Nicolas Maduro on [...] More

AmericasBrad ChristianLatin America

Why the ‘Double Tap’ Incident Matters Far Beyond a Single Strike

Geoffrey Corn

Why the ‘Double Tap’ Incident Matters Far Beyond a Single Strike

EXPERT OPINION — For about a week we experienced significant controversy over the first military attack on alleged narco-trafficker small boats off [...] More

AmericasGeoffrey CornLatin America

Why an Unmanned Mission May be Most Effective in Venezuela

Joey Gagnard

Why an Unmanned Mission May be Most Effective in Venezuela

OPINION — Wars are increasingly fought by unconventional means. A recent example is Ukrainian insertion of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to attack [...] More

AmericasJoey GagnardLatin America

Second Strike, No Survivors: The Legal and Political Questions Around Trump’s Narco-Boat Killings

Walter Pincus

Second Strike, No Survivors: The Legal and Political Questions Around Trump’s Narco-Boat Killings

OPINION — “As we’ve said from the beginning, and in every statement, these highly effective strikes are specifically intended to be ‘lethal, kinetic [...] More

AmericasLatin AmericaWalter PincusFine Print

Destroying Boats, Killing Crews, Escalating Risks: The Venezuela Gambit

Walter Pincus

Destroying Boats, Killing Crews, Escalating Risks: The Venezuela Gambit

OPINION — “Does the Coast Guard have legal authority to destroy a boat or to kill the crew with lethal force if there has not been a [...] More

AmericasLatin AmericaWalter PincusFine Print
Venezuela’s Descent into Crisis

Understanding the U.S. Military Mobilization in the Caribbean

Ambassador Patrick Duddy

Understanding the U.S. Military Mobilization in the Caribbean

OPINION / EXPERT PERSPECTIVE — The armada the U.S. has assembled in the Caribbean is more formidable than anything the region has seen in decades. [...] More

AmericasLatin America

Trump’s Latest Military Campaign Tests the Limits of Presidential War Powers

Geoffrey Corn

Trump’s Latest Military Campaign Tests the Limits of Presidential War Powers

OPINION / EXPERT PERSPECTiVE — According to reports, the Trump administration informed Congress that the ongoing hostilities against alleged [...] More

AmericasGeoffrey CornLatin America
Soldiers of the Mexican Army stand guard as they secure an area during a military operation in Culiacan, Sinaloa State, Mexico, on September 19, 2024

From the Caribbean to Jalisco, Trump Takes Aim at Cartels — But Will He Strike the Kingpins?

DEEP DIVE — Eight weeks ago, Secretary of State Marco Rubio went to Mexico City, the epicenter of the global illegal drug trade, and declared, “The [...] More

AmericasLatin America
Former CIA Station Chief on the Trump Administration’s Caribbean Strategy

Former CIA Station Chief on the Trump Administration’s Caribbean Strategy

EXPERT INTERVIEW — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced today that the U.S. has carried out three additional strikes on four sea vessels, bringing [...] More

AmericasLatin America

America’s Drug Crisis: Why the U.S. Must Fight Traffickers Abroad—and Addiction at Home

Ambassador Joseph DeTrani

America’s Drug Crisis: Why the U.S. Must Fight Traffickers Abroad—and Addiction at Home

OPINION — It is the responsibility of the U.S. Government to ensure that illicit drugs do not enter the U.S. and to ensure that those countries and [...] More

AmericasAmbassador Joseph DeTraniLatin America