The United States has become far more assertive in Latin America, from backing El Salvador's crackdown on gangs to clashing with Mexico over cartels and migration and intervening in Venezuela. At the same time, governments across the region are adopting tougher security policies, from long states of emergency to using the military for policing. This team asks how US activism is affecting crime, violence, democracy, and stability in the region, how Latin American governments are responding, and whether current US policy is likely to last and work. 

Students track US actions and their results, both regionally and country by country, building a public timeline and dataset that faculty and students use for policy briefs. Returning students lead the work on a country, contribute to analysis, and mentor new members.