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 President of Costa Rica and an expert on democratic governance, political institutions, and international affairs. Together, the two discuss the election results, President-elect Laura Fernández' agenda for governance, and what the election means for Costa Rica's regional relations. They also delve into some of the key issues Fernández will face in office, ranging from economic growth priorities, to rising concerns over crime and violence, to relations with the Trump administration in the United States.

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 Andrei Serbin Pont, Executive Director of CRIES-LAC, for a conversation on X (formerly Twitter) about the role of foreign fighters from LAC on both sides in Ukraine. Together, they unpacked the motivations of fighters for joining both Ukraine and Russia, why Moscow and Kyiv have turned to recruiting foreign fighters, and the broader implications of war in Ukraine for Latin American countries.

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 Díaz-Canel ha respondido a estas presiones. In this special Spanish-language episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow with the Americas Program, sits down with Yaxys Cires, Director of Strategy at the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights to discuss the recent United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Cuba.  They discuss the dichotomy between the government’s rhetoric and the sad reality of Cuba's human rights record. They also discuss the mounting economic crisis facing the island and how the Díaz-Canel government has responded to these pressures.

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 changes to Mexico's regulatory, and particularly tax environment are undermining investor confidence and contributing to broader concerns related to the upcoming 2026 Joint Review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement. They also explore the ways in which tax policy intersects with the issues Mexico faces over judicial independence, insecurity, and diplomatic tensions with both the United States and Canada.

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 Parliament representing Edmonton Centre, Alberta’s capital. Together they delve into the history of Alberta Separatism and the recent factors that have seen the movement capture national attention both in Canada and the United States.

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 . They also assess the challenges inherent in any democratic transition and lessons learned from Panama's history. The episode was recorded on December 22, 2025, two weeks before Operation Absolute Resolve to capture Venezuelan Disctator Nicolas Maduro, yet it still contains valuable insights into what may happen next in Venezuela.

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 her journey meant for Venezuelans around the world. They also discuss the future of the opposition, and what comes next in the fight for democracy within Venezuela.

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, and the evolution of the country's challenges with organized crime and narcotrafficking. They also analyze the future of Bolivia-U.S. relations which have shown signs of warming under the new government.

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 Public Service at Texas A&M University. Together they discuss her recent book, Policing on Drugs: The United States, Mexico, and the Origins of the Modern Drug War, 1969-2000. They also delve into recent U.S. interventions against drug trafficking organizations and where U.S. security policy might evolve from here. Use Discount Code: AUFLY30 for 30 percent off on the book.

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 cooperation. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Graeme Clark, former Canadian Ambassador to Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and the OAS. Together, they discuss the history of Canada-Mexico relations, the tensions that have put the relationship under pressure, and windows for potential collaboration.