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Latin America

As Trump Expands Caribbean Strikes on Cartels, Much is Still Unclear

Walter Pincus

As Trump Expands Caribbean Strikes on Cartels, Much is Still Unclear

OPINION — “Extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels that the United States has designated as terrorist organizations have wrought devastating [...] More

AmericasLatin AmericaWalter PincusFine Print
Threat Con 2025

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What's Really Happening at the Panama Canal?
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expert interviews

What's Really Happening at the Panama Canal?

EXPERT INTERVIEWS — The Panama Canal has landed squarely in the national security conversation, thanks to a series of remarks by Donald Trump, who as [...] More

Latin AmericaAmericas

Expert Q&A: A Look at Biden's Last-Minute Cuba Deal

Ryan C. Berg

Expert Q&A: A Look at Biden's Last-Minute Cuba Deal

EXPERT INTERVIEW — In one of several eleventh-hour moves, President Joe Biden on Tuesday notified Congress of his intent to remove Cuba from a list [...] More

Alternative PerspectivesRyan C. BergNorth AmericaLatin America

A Dangerous Moment for Venezuela – and the Region 

Ambassador Patrick Duddy

A Dangerous Moment for Venezuela – and the Region 

EXPERT INTERVIEW — Nicolas Maduro is set to be inaugurated for his third term as president of Venezuela on Friday. He will be sworn in after a [...] More

Latin America
Memo to the 47th President: Latin America is About More Than Migrants
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memo to 47

Memo to the 47th President: Latin America is About More Than Migrants

MEMO TO THE PRESIDENT — Since Donald Trump's victory in the November 5 election, The Cipher Brief has covered the potential implications a second [...] More

Latin AmericaAmericasReporting

To Fight Fentanyl Traffic, U.S. Needs More Than Law Enforcement

Michael Vigil

To Fight Fentanyl Traffic, U.S. Needs More Than Law Enforcement

Cipher Brief COO Brad Christian spoke with Michael Vigil, former Chief of International Operations at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), [...] More

Latin AmericaNorth America
Can High-Profile Cartel Arrests Halt the Fentanyl Traffic? 
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deep dive

Can High-Profile Cartel Arrests Halt the Fentanyl Traffic? 

DEEP DIVE — Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a co-founder and leader of Mexico's notorious Sinaloa Cartel, has entered a not guilty plea to 17 drug [...] More

Latin AmericaAmericasNorth AmericaReporting
Threat Con 2025

Brazil and Colombia Should Support Democracy in Venezuela 

Ambassador Patrick Duddy

Brazil and Colombia Should Support Democracy in Venezuela 

OPINION — Absent a last-minute alteration of the electoral calendar by Venezuela’s authoritarian regime, Venezuelans will go to the polls on July 28 [...] More

Latin America
High Stakes for Venezuela – and U.S. – in Crucial Vote

High Stakes for Venezuela – and U.S. – in Crucial Vote

SUBSCRIBER+ EXCLUSIVE REPORTING — On July 28, Venezuela’s authoritarian President, Nicolás Maduro, will face his most formidable electoral challenge [...] More

Latin AmericaAmericasReporting
A Thousand Kenyan Police are Headed to Haiti Where "Gangs Rule"

A Thousand Kenyan Police are Headed to Haiti Where "Gangs Rule"

SUBSCRIBER+REPORTING — After a long wait and amid a rapidly deteriorating security situation, Haiti may soon be getting an international security [...] More

Latin AmericaAmericasReporting
Who's Really Winning the Global 5G and Cloud Computing Infrastructure Race?

Who's Really Winning the Global 5G and Cloud Computing Infrastructure Race?

SUBSCRIBER+EXCLUSIVE REPORTING — As the new era of fifth generation (5G) mobile communications advances, China remains steadfast on dominating the [...] More

ReportingAmericasChinaLatin AmericaUnited StatesTech/CyberAsia
Hezbollah is Operating in Latin America. What does that mean for the U.S.?

Hezbollah is Operating in Latin America. What does that mean for the U.S.?

SUBSCRIBER+REPORTING — The United States this month, announced a fresh slate of sanctions on a family nexus of seven Hezbollah operatives and [...] More

Latin AmericaAmericasIranMiddle EastReporting
With China's Help, Mexico Is On The Verge of Becoming a 'Narco State'

With China's Help, Mexico Is On The Verge of Becoming a 'Narco State'

SUBSCRIBER+EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — Deep inside a ravine on the outskirts of a western Mexican city overseen by among the world's most powerful drug [...] More

AsiaAmericasChinaNorth AmericaLatin AmericaUnited StatesReporting