JGI Policy Newsletter Catalog

Topics / Spotlights

Below is an archive of resources and literature from our weekly newsletter. To sign up to our newsletter, please send a request through our contact form at the top right or clicking here.

Week of April 13, 2026
— Podcast – Javier Milei’s Ups and Downs: Americas Quarterly

— Video – AI and the Rewiring of Organized Crime: Small Wars Journal

— Regional Highlight – Can the Donroe Doctrine Help Deliver Stability in Haiti?: Americas Quarterly

— Venezuela and Cuba – Preparing for the Consequences of Collapse in Cuba: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— China, Russia, and Iran – The Kast Administration in Chile: Pursuing Washington’s Goodwill and China’s Money: Evan Ellis Substack

— China, Russia, and Iran – How the Iran War Will Upend the Global Economy: The Risk Is Not Just an Energy Shock—but Also a Debt Crisis: Foreign Policy

— China, Russia, and Iran – America and China at the Edge of Ruin A Last Chance to Step Back From the Brink: Foreign Policy

— China, Russia, and Iran – Quantum Power Parity: The Next Front in U.S.–China Strategic Competition: Small Wars Journal

— China, Russia, and Iran – Writing A New Chapter in the Army’s “Jungle Book”: How the U.S. Can Gain Three Birds via Panama’s Hand and Leave China in the Bush: Small Wars Journal

— Crime – Argentina Designates CJNG a Terrorist Organization: Milei’s Move and the Emerging Hemispheric Security Architecture: Small Wars Journal

— Critical Minerals – From alignment to action: Building a durable US-Argentina critical minerals partnership: Atlantic Council

— Critical Minerals – Winning the Minerals Race Requires Building Demand, Not Just Supply: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Critical Minerals – U.S. and China Fight Over Latin America’s Critical Minerals: Expediente Publico

— Cyber and AI – Transatlantic cooperation on AI and national security: Atlantic Council

— Economics and Trade – The U.S. Trade Deficit Did Not Shrink—It Moved to Vietnam and Taiwan: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Economics and Trade – Preserving the Momentum: Building on Paraguay’s Investment Grade Ratings: Global Americans

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – A Play Revives Obama-Era Diplomacy: Americas Quarterly

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Chile: New Directions and Uncertainty with a Strong Security Partner: Evan Ellis Substack

— Politics and Governance – Reshuffle of power in Honduras: nationalists and liberals displace Libre in the justice system: Expediente Publico
Week of April 3, 2026
— Video – The U.S. and Mexico Kick Off NAFTA Talks: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Regional Highlight – Trump in Latin America: FTO Warnings for Brazil and Sanctions Relief for Venezuela’s Delcy: Council of the Americas

— China, Russia, and Iran – After Maduro: Latin America’s policy community reassesses the US-China balance: Atlantic Council

— China, Russia, and Iran – Technological Cooperation Between Colombia and China Expands, Raising Security Concerns: Dialogo Americas

— China, Russia, and Iran – How U.S. Initiatives are impacting China in Latin America: Evan Ellis Substack

— China, Russia, and Iran – The Counter-Cartel Summit, Iran, and the Strategic Outlook for Latin America: Evan Ellis Substack

— China, Russia, and Iran – Why the Strait of Hormuz closure hurts Argentina’s political situation: LATAM Risk Report

— Crime – Brazil’s Gangs in Trump’s Crosshairs: Americas Quarterly

— Crime – Ecuador Steps Up Fight Against Narco-Terrorism Through Regional Cooperation: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Brazil Tracks Evolving Routes for Illegal Amazon Gold: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – The Many Lives of ‘Iván Mordisco,’ Colombia’s Most Wanted: InSight Crime

— Crime – From Airstrikes to Cooperation: Will the ‘New Phase’ of Ecuador’s Drug War Deliver?: InSight Crime

— Crime – The Corruption Engine Behind Sebastián Marset’s Empire: InSight Crime

— Crime – How Organized Crime Shapes Mexico’s Fentanyl Markets: InSight Crime

— Crime – Five Questions on the Gold Trade: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

— Crime – US Prosecutors Hint at More Charges for Alleged South American Drug Baron Sebastián Marset: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

— Cyber and AI – Securing cloud infrastructure for AI: Atlantic Council

— Cyber and AI – How NATO can integrate AI to prevail in future algorithmic warfare: Atlantic Council

— Cyber and AI – The Structural Barriers to Resource Extraction in Antarctica: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Cyber and AI – How AI and Advanced Technology Fortified Latin American Criminal Groups: Dialogo Americas

— Cyber and AI – Q&A with Natalia Paiva: “Brazil’s model is judicially led: courts and regulatory authorities are shaping the rules while Congress is still debating a national AI framework”: Inter-American Dialogue

— Cyber and AI – Strategic Cooperation on AI: RAND

— Elections – Peru Elects 2026: Ongoing Coverage of the Presidential Race—The First Round of Debates: Council of the Americas

— Elections – What Does Kast’s Cabinet Say About His Government in Chile?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Economics and Trade – Global payment systems are fragmenting. Here’s what the G20 can do.: Atlantic Council

— Economics and Trade – How the Dominican Republic can escape the ‘middle-income trap’: Atlantic Council

— Economics and Trade – Remittance Senders’ Views and Practices on the 1 Percent Tax: Inter-American Dialogue

— Politics and Governance – In Arévalo’s Guatemala, It’s Not “Spring” Quite Yet: Americas Quarterly

— Politics and Governance – Guatemala seeks to eliminate political bias in the Comptroller’s Office: Expediente Publico

— Politics and Governance – Three years and a thousand abuses: the state of emergency in Honduras: Expediente Publico
Week of March 27, 2026
— Podcast – Understanding Delcy Rodríguez: Americas Quarterly

— Podcast – What’s on the Trade Menu? Beef: Council of the Americas

— Video – Geoeconomics of Irregular Warfare: Iran and the Global Ripple Effects – Part IV: Irregular Warfare Initiative

— Video – Geoeconomics of Irregular Warfare: Iran and the Global Ripple Effects – Part III: Irregular Warfare Initiative

— Podcast – Episode 4: Carmelo, Carmelo…: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

— Podcast – Episode 5: Ciao Carmelo: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

— Regional Highlight – Inter-American Dialogue: Inter-American Dialogue

— Regional Highlight – Friday Reading List: 27 March 2026: LATAM Risk Report

— Regional Highlight – Chinese Control of Critical Energy Infrastructure in Chile: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency – Co-authored by Martin Brown, FIU-JGI Research Assistant

— China, Russia, and Iran – Uncontrolled hiring of Chinese workers in Honduras?: Expediente Publico

— China, Russia, and Iran – El Salvador and China: mega-projects between secrecy and environmental damage: Expediente Publico

— China, Russia, and Iran – Nicaragua buys 23 times more from China than it sells: Expediente Publico

— China, Russia, and Iran – Asfura Government Withholds Key Details of Chinese Solar Megaproject Amid Transparency Concerns: Expediente Publico

— China, Russia, and Iran – Testimony to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission: China’s Expanding Interests in Latin America: Inter-American Dialogue

— Crime – Ecuador Steps Up Fight Against Narco-Terrorism Through Regional Cooperation: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – How Latin American Criminal Groups Infiltrate the Legal Economy: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Peru vs. Illegal Mining: Dismantling Criminal Networks through Strategic Alliances: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Brokers and Patrons: Unstitching gangs from Haiti’s political fabric: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

— Crime – How Organized Crime Shapes Mexico’s Fentanyl Markets: InSight Crime

— Crime – Cocaine Power Shifts and Seizures: InSight Crime

— Crime – Military Strikes Target Complex Criminal Landscape on Colombia-Ecuador Border: InSight Crime

— Cyber and AI – Atlantic Council: Mass surveillance in Venezuela remains active with Delcy Rodríguez: Expediente Publico

— Cyber and AI – From Orbit to Objective: Space and the Future of Conflict: Irregular Warfare Initiative

— Cyber and AI – What’s Behind the Use of Drones in Haiti’s Conflict?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Economics and Trade – Preserving the Momentum: Building on Paraguay’s Investment Grade Ratings: Global Americans

— Elections – The Resurgence of Gustavo Petro and the Colombian Left: Americas Quarterly

— Elections – Peru Elects 2026: Ongoing Coverage of the Presidential Race: Council of the Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Trump in Latin America: Maduro’s Court Battles, Ecuador’s Bombed Cattle, Noem’s Travel: Council of the Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Time for Progress Toward Democracy in Venezuela: Council on Foreign Relations

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – US, Guyana Launch Medical Mission LAMAT 2026: Dialogo Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Costa Rica and El Salvador Forge New Era of Regional Security: Dialogo Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – U.S. and Mexico Leaders Highlight Petrochemicals as Strategic Sector Ahead of 2026 USMCA Review: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – The Chemical Industry & North American Competitiveness: Toward the 2026 USMCA Review I: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – The Chemical Industry & North American Competitiveness: Toward the 2026 USMCA Review II: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – From Production to Consumption: Japan–Latin America Cooperation in Food and Agriculture: Inter-American Dialogue

— Politics and Governance – How “Centralism” Is Undermining Democracy in Latin America: Americas Quarterly

— Politics and Governance – South America’s Last Technocrat Standing: Global Americans
Week of March 20, 2026
— Podcast – Brazil, Colombia and a Regional Case for Optimism: Americas Quarterly

— Podcast – Economic Impacts of Iran Conflict, Tariff Refund Update, and Colombia-Ecuador Trade War: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – The Shield of the Americas: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Podcast – Panama Boots China from the Canal: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Drones – US hard power turns to Latin America and the Caribbean: ACLED

— Drones – Drug cartels are adopting cutting-edge drone technology. Here’s how the US must adapt.: Atlantic Council

— Drones – How Mexican cartels are using drones, now and in the future: Brookings

— Drones – Countering the Criminal Drone Threat in the Americas: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Drones – Latin America’s Drone Problem: Evan Ellis

— Drones – Iran’s Drone Advantage: The Pentagon Copied Tehran’s Technology but Is Still Struggling to Keep Up: Foreign Affairs

— Regional Highlight – How Can Venezuela’s Opposition Regain Momentum?: Americas Quarterly

— Regional Highlight – Smart Power at Sea and China’s Dual Use Maritime Operations in Latin America: FIU-JGI Policy Innovation Series – Authored by Juan Pablo Toro (AthenaLab Executive Director) and Martin Brown (FIU-JGI Research Assistant)

— Regional Highlight – Anchoring Global Ambitions: Beijing’s Ports Financing and the Race for Maritime Dominance: AidData

— Regional Highlight – How Attractive Is Venezuela to Foreign Miners?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Regional Highlight – LATAM Risk Report: LATAM Risk Report

— China, Russia, and Iran – Mexico Still Has a China Problem: Americas Quarterly

— China, Russia, and Iran – Small Firms Signal New Phase in China’s Expanding Footprint in Brazil: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Arrests of Los Pulpos Members Across Latin America Show Power of Alliances: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Shifting Amazon gold flows: Illicit gold trafficking to Venezuela and the Implications of U.S. Action: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

— Crime – How Organized Crime Shapes Mexico’s Fentanyl Markets: InSight Crime

— Crime – What Does the Exit of Vladimir Padrino López Mean for Organized Crime in Venezuela?: InSight Crime

— Crime – Dollarino and the Rise of Brokers in the Cocaine Pipeline to Europe: InSight Crime

— Cyber and AI – Mythical Beasts: Investigating the role of intermediaries in the proliferation of offensive cyber capabilities: Atlantic Council

— Cyber and AI – Influencers and Organized Crime: The Digital Frontier of a Regional Security Threat: Dialogo Americas

— Cyber and AI – A world of deceit: Mapping the landscape of the global scam centre phenomenon: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

— Migration – Metro Monitor 2026: The relationship between immigration and regional economic performance over the past decade: Brookings

— Economics and Trade – Preserving the Momentum: Building on Paraguay’s Investment Grade Ratings: Global Americans

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – US, Guyana Launch Medical Mission LAMAT 2026: Dialogo Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Costa Rica and El Salvador Forge New Era of Regional Security: Dialogo Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Will the Cuban Government Be Able to Placate Trump?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Politics and Governance – Health and Innovation in Brazil: A Private Briefing with Fernanda de Negri: Inter-American Dialogue
Week of March 13, 2026
— Podcast – Brazil, Colombia and a Regional Case for Optimism: Americas Quarterly

— Video – What to look out for at this year’s meeting of China’s legislature: Brookings

— Podcast – Economic Impacts of Iran Conflict, Tariff Refund Update, and Colombia-Ecuador Trade War: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Drones – Persistent Threats: How Human Smugglers Are Exploiting Drone Technology Along the U.S.-Mexico Border: Florida International University’s Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy

— Drones – Confronting Asymmetric Innovation: The Policy Challenge of Drone Warfare: Florida International University’s Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy

— Drones – Iran’s Drone Advantage: The Pentagon Copied Tehran’s Technology but Is Still Struggling to Keep Up: Foreign Affairs

— Drones – The Autonomous Battlefield: And Why the U.S. Military Isn’t Ready for It: Foreign Affairs

— Regional Highlight – Guatemala’s Security Challenges and the Government Response: An Update: Evan Ellis Substack and Florida International University’s Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy

— China, Russia, and Iran – IUU Fishing and the Chinese Fleet: A Geopolitical Challenge to South American Maritime Sovereignty: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – InSight Crime’s 2025 Homicide Round-Up: InSight Crime

— Crime – Police Crisis Tests Security Strategy in Rosario, Argentina’s Organized Crime Hub: InSight Crime

— Crime – Amid US Strikes, Booming Guyana Could Become Drug Trafficking Hub: InSight Crime

— Crime – Breaking Analysis: LatAm Militaries Are Already Fighting ‘Cartels,’ But Trump Wants More: InSight Crime

— Cyber and AI – AI in the Global South: A Debrief on India’s AI Summit: Inter-American Dialogue

— Economics and Trade – Brazil Program Launches “Economic Costs of Crime in Brazil” and Welcomes Carlos Góes as Senior Fellow: Inter-American Dialogue

— Elections – The Question Facing José Antonio Kast: Americas Quarterly

— Elections – Why Lula Is Struggling: Americas Quarterly

— Elections – What Will It Take to Secure Haiti’s 2026 Elections?: Council of the Americas

— Elections – Four Takeaways from Colombia’s Legislative and Presidential Primary Vote: Council of the Americas

— Elections – After Sheinbaum’s Electoral Reform Stalls, What Comes Next?: Council of the Americas

— Elections – Ground Truth: Elections 2026 | Monthly Assessment (March Edition): Inter-American Dialogue

— Elections – Mexico’s Electoral Reform: What’s at Stake: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Alberta Separatism Would Harm Both Canada and the United States: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Trump in Latin America: The 411 on Doral, a 301 for Mexico, an A3C for the Region: Council of the Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Peru-US Strengthen Strategic Bonds with $1.5 Billion Naval Base Modernization: Dialogo Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Panamanian Forces and US Marine Corps Build Readiness Side by Side: Dialogo Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – US, Saint Kitts and Nevis Conclude LAMAT 2026 Medical Mission: Dialogo Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Ecuador Expands Security Campaign with Coordinated Operations and US Support: Dialogo Americas

— Politics and Governance – Peru’s Political Instability Enters a New Chapter Under Balcázar: Americas Quarterly
Week of March 9, 2026
— Video – Members-Only Event: Mexico’s “Missing” Opposition: Council of the Americas

— Podcast – After IEEPA, What Tariff Tools Will Trump Turn to Next?: Council of the Americas

— Podcast – Best of 35 West: LAC Fighters in Ukraine: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – The Strategic Logic of Large Militant Alliance Networks: Irregular Warfare Initiative

— Podcast – On the Radar: Ecuador’s Escalating Crime Crisis: InSight Crime

— Regional Highlight – Anchoring Global Ambitions: Beijing’s Ports Financing and the Race for Maritime Dominance: AidData

— Regional Highlight – China’s $24 billion in ports financing encircles the globe, reaching 90 countries: AidData

— Regional Highlight – Cuba’s Military: The Institution Washington Cannot Ignore: Americas Quarterly – Authored by Brian Fonseca, Ph.D., FIU-JGI Director

— Regional Highlight – Trump in Latin America: Iran Reactions, Ecuador Joint Action, Venezuelan Transactions: Council of the Americas

— Regional Highlight – What Will Come of a Drug Kingpin’s Killing in Mexico?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Regional Highlight – Friday Reading List: 6 March 2026: LATAM Risk Report

— China, Russia, and Iran – Iran and Terrorism: What the U.S. Strikes Could Mean for Homeland Security: Council on Foreign Relations

— China, Russia, and Iran – The Shield of Americas Gathering and an Amplified Strategy to Counter China in the Western Hemisphere: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— China, Russia, and Iran – Strategic Implications of the War in Iran for Latin America: Evan Ellis Substack

— China, Russia, and Iran – Peru’s Political Crisis Shows How China Could Militarily Use the Port of Chancay Against the US: Evan Ellis Substack

JGI Policy Newsletter Catalog

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

Ilicit Actors Use of Drones and Technology

Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Policies and Efforts in Central and South America

Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Trafficking

China’s Activities in Latin America

Malign State Actors Cooperation with Venezuela

Arms Trafficking Threat (Central America)

Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Drugs (Central America)

Hurricane Melissa – Jamaica Recovery and Resources

Migration and the Threat of Extremism (Central America)

JGI Policy Newsletter Catalog

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

Ilicit Actors Use of Drones and Technology

Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Policies and Efforts in Central and South America

Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Trafficking

China’s Activities in Latin America

Malign State Actors Cooperation with Venezuela

Arms Trafficking Threat (Central America)

Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Drugs (Central America)

Hurricane Melissa – Jamaica Recovery and Resources

Migration and the Threat of Extremism (Central America)

JGI Policy Newsletter Catalog

Week of April 13, 2026

Week of April 3, 2026

Week of March 27, 2026

Week of March 20, 2026

Week of March 13, 2026

Week of March 9, 2026