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 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

— China, Russia, and Iran – Chinese mining companies control 8.5% of Nicaragua’s territory: Expediente Publico

— China, Russia, and Iran – China, jailer and ‘trainer’ of journalists: Expediente Publico

— China, Russia, and Iran – How the Iran War Could Consolidate China’s Energy Dominance: Foreign Policy

— China, Russia, and Iran – Security Alliances With the U.S. Have Made Gulf States More Vulnerable: Foreign Policy

— China, Russia, and Iran – Geoeconomics of Irregular Warfare: Iran and the Global Ripple Effects: Irregular Warfare Initiative

— Crime – U.S. pushes Latin American partners into its war against cartels: Expediente Publico

— Crime – The Criminal Fallout: Will attacks on Iran lead to a regional recalibration of organized crime?: Global Initiative Aganist Transnational Organized Crime

— Crime – More Than Narco Wives: Women’s Hidden Power in Latin American Organized Crime: InSight Crime

— Economics and Trade – Decline in remittances, El Salvador’s main economic challenge: Expediente Publico

— Elections – In Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz Faces an Electoral Stress Test: Americas Quarterly

— Elections – Colombia’s 2026 Presidential Election: Council of the Americas

— Elections – Chile Bids Goodbye to Boric: The outgoing president created a new blueprint for the Latin American left: Foreign Policy

— Elections – A Conversation with Clifford Young on 2026 Brazilian Elections: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Venezuelans Welcome U.S. Intervention, But Hope for a Rapid Democratic Transition Post-Maduro: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Trump Sees Power Balance His Way: China US Focus

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Advancing Security Cooperation Between the United States and Mexico – High Level Dialogue Series: Inter-American Dialogue

— Politics and Governance – Setback for Guatemala’s prosecutor: Dina Ochoa, new CC magistrate: Expediente Publico
Week of March 2, 2026
— Podcast – Cuba on the Brink: Americas Quarterly

— Podcast – U.S.-Mexico Tensions in the Era of the Don-Roe Doctrine: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – China’s Alleged Nuclear Test: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Regional Highlight – The state of great power competition in the Gulf: Atlantic Council

— Regional Highlight – Trump’s Way of War: Iran, Venezuela, and the End of the Powell Doctrine: Foreign Affairs

— Regional Highlight – LATAM Risk Report: Inter-American Dialogue

— Regional Highlight – The Epstein Files’ Global Fallout Highlights U.S. Inaction: World Politics Review

— China, Russia, and Iran – Shark Fins: How China’s Resource Hunger Fuels Ecuador’s Terrorist Organizations: Dialogo Americas

— China, Russia, and Iran – China’s AI Arsenal: The PLA’s Tech Strategy Is Working: Foreign Affairs

— China, Russia, and Iran – The US Must Clarify Its Strategy in Iran: Small Wars Journal

— Crime – 3354 individuals prosecuted in Europol-coordinated hit against pharmaceutical crime networks: Border Security Report

— Crime – Criminal Kingpin “El Mencho” Is Dead, What Comes Next?: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Crime – Adaptive Strategies of Latin American Organized Crime to Export Drugs from the Region: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Costa Rica Spearheads Successful Multinational Maritime Counternarcotics Operation: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Cecilia Farfán-Méndez: “The evidence shows that this kind of kingpin strategy is not particularly useful or robust in weakening or eliminating the activity of a criminal group.”: Inter-American Dialogue

— Crime – How CJNG Control Works in Guadalajara, With or Without El Mencho: InSight Crime

— Crime – 5 CJNG Hotspots to Watch After El Mencho’s Killing in Mexico: InSight Crime

— Crime – CJNG Violence After the Killing of ‘El Mencho’: Power Play or Last Gasp?: InSight Crime

— Crime – What’s Next for Mexico’s CJNG After the Killing of ‘El Mencho’?: InSight Crime

— Crime – Beyond the Kingpin: What El Mencho’s Death Reveals About Cartel Resilience: Small Wars Journal

— Crime – Operational Assessment: Decapitation Under Pressure – Operational and Strategic Implications of the Elimination of El Mencho: Small Wars Journal

— Crime – Narco Cerveza: Cartel Influence on the Mexican Craft Beverage Industry: Small Wars Journal

— Crime – Will Maduro’s Ouster Put the Squeeze on ELN Guerrillas?: World Politics Review

— Cyber and AI – Argentina’s Historic Leap Forward with the Incorporation of Cutting-Edge Military Technology: Dialogo Americas

— Cyber and AI – AI Has a New Global Referee—But No One Agrees What Game Is Being Played: World Politics Review

— Economics and Trade – One month in, can Honduras’ new president put the country on the path to lasting economic gains?: Atlantic Council

— Economics and Trade – Brookings experts on the Supreme Court’s tariff decision: Brookings

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

— Elections – Peru: Meet the Candidates 2026: Americas Quarterly

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – USMCA 2026 and Economic Security: The Convergence of Technology, Trade, and National Security: Center for Strategic and International Studies

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

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Where Does the U.S. Supreme Court’s Ruling Leave Tariffs?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Trump’s State of the Union Speech Put His Contradictions Front and Center: World Politics Review

— Politics and Governance – Argentina’s Polarization Threatens Milei’s Pro-Market Agenda: Americas Quarterly

— Politics and Governance – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is cleaning house and consolidating power: Brookings

— Politics and Governance – Beyond Metrics: Integrating Command Culture with Operational Readiness: Small Wars Journal

— Politics and Governance – Venezuelans Want Change. Will the Chavistas Deliver?: World Politics Review
Week of February 22, 2026
— Podcast – Best of 35 West: Derechos Humanos en Cuba / Human Rights in Cuba: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – Cuba Is Running Out of Time: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Regional Highlight – State of Play: The Global Impact of the SCOTUS Decision on IEEPA Tariffs: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Regional Highlight – Trump in Latin America: The Board of Peace Roster, A Cuban Call, and Moves on Nicaragua: Council of the Americas

— Regional Highlight – A Guide to Trump’s Section 232 Tariffs, in Maps: Council on Foreign Relations

— Regional Highlight – Trump wants US energy dominance. Global markets may not agree: Chatham House

— Regional Highlight – Lula’s Meeting With Trump Likely to Focus on Venezuela, Cuba, Tariffs: Inter-American Dialogue

— Regional Highlight – Friday Reading List: 20 February 2026: LATAM Risk Report

— China, Russia, and Iran – Negotiating with Putin’s Russia: Atlantic Council

— China, Russia, and Iran – What the West Gets Wrong About Chinese Manufacturing: CHINA US Focus

— China, Russia, and Iran – The Risk That China Overcomes U.S. Pressure Resisting Its Advance in Latin America: Evan Ellis Substack

— China, Russia, and Iran – China’s Digital Yuan and the Fight for Southeast Asia’s Financial Infrastructure: Irregular Warfare Initiative

— China, Russia, and Iran – Peru’s Political Crisis and the Rising Scrutiny of China’s Influence: Global Americans

— Crime – US CBP Officers seize 42 pounds of Marijuana, California man arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Border Security Report

— Crime – Paraguay-US Forge Strategic Front Against Transnational Organized Crime: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Haiti: The Caribbean New Epicenter for Drug Trafficking: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – ELN Rear Guard in Venezuela: A Platform for Transnational Projection: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Hub of Resilience: Jamaica’s Strategic Win over Crime: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – New Latin American anti-organized crime initiative launched in Guatemala: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

— Crime – A year into the FTO designation: Criminality remains in a changing policy space: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

— Crime – US Sanctions in Latin America Have Increased. But Can They Be Enforced?: InSight Crime

— Crime – On the Radar: Football, Cocaine, and Corruption: InSight Crime

— Crime – How Guatemala’s Gang Crisis Reached a Boiling Point: InSight Crime

— Critical Minerals – Trump’s U.S. Mining Push Has a Big Problem: Foreign Policy

— Cyber, AI, and Emerging Tech – The ‘Discombobulator’ Arms Race Has Begun: Foreign Policy

— Economics and Trade – The Supreme Court just struck down most of Trump’s tariffs. What’s next?: Atlantic Council

— Economics and Trade – Mexico’s Ministry of Economy, Along with COA, Holds Forum on Combating Illicit Trade: Council of the Americas

— Economics and Trade – AS/COA Hosts President of Paraguay Santiago Peña: Council of the Americas

— Economics and Trade – After the Supreme Court Ruling, What Is Next for Trump’s Tariffs?: Council on Foreign Relations

— Economics and Trade – Tracking Trump’s Trade Deals: Council on Foreign Relations

— Economics and Trade – What Will a Trade Deal Mean for the U.S. & El Salvador?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Canada’s Alternative to Trump’s Doctrine for the Americas: Americas Quarterly

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – From the U.S.-Led Rules-Based Order to Multipolar International Law: CHINA US Focus

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 March 20, 2026

Week of March 13, 2026

Week of March 9, 2026

Week of March 2, 2026

Week of February 22, 2026