Americas Program: Focus on South America

The countries of South America present an array of opportunities and challenges to the United States and its foreign policy. Trade with the region is booming thanks to measures such as the recent free trade agreements signed with Chile and Peru and the impressive economic growth attained by several South American countries. The region is poised to retain its importance as an energy supplier to the US, with Brazil potentially joining Venezuela as one of the largest sources of US oil. At the same time, the spread of populist and leftist governments in some South American states has led to a questioning of US government policies and motives in some areas of the region, and measures proposed to deepen regional integration would force a re-thinking of policy formulation on all sides. South America continues to face many challenges related to transnational drugs and crime, poverty, income inequality, environmental concerns, and the strengthening of democratic institutions. The CSIS Americas Program analyzes these issues in depth in seeking to promote a greater understanding of the politics and development of South America and the future of US relations with the region.