Ryan C. Berg

Ryan C. Berg is the director of the Americas program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he also heads the Future of Venezuela Initiative.

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Articles by Ryan C. Berg
A cutout of the Goddess of Democracy stands out in a sea of light during a vigil to remember the Tiananmen Square movement on its 10th anniversary in Hong Kong, on June 4, 1999.
A cutout of the Goddess of Democracy stands out in a sea of light during a vigil to remember the Tiananmen Square movement on its 10th anniversary in Hong Kong, on June 4, 1999.

Autocrats Have a Playbook—Now Democrats Need One Too

Argument
Christopher Sabatini, Ryan C. Berg
Cargo truck drivers line up to cross into the United States in Tijuana, Mexico, on June 6, 2019.
Cargo truck drivers line up to cross into the United States in Tijuana, Mexico, on June 6, 2019.

2021 Could Be the Year of Free Trade

Argument
Ryan C. Berg, Lauri Tahtinen
Then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden shakes hands with Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a presidential candidate at the time, during a meeting in Mexico City on March 5, 2012.
Then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden shakes hands with Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a presidential candidate at the time, during a meeting in Mexico City on March 5, 2012.

How Brazil and Mexico Will Come to Terms With the Biden Presidency

Election 2020
Ryan C. Berg
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro holds a Venezuelan flag while speaking from a balcony at Miraflores Presidential Palace to announce his breaking off diplomatic ties with the United States in Caracas on Jan. 23, 2019.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro holds a Venezuelan flag while speaking from a balcony at Miraflores Presidential Palace to announce his breaking off diplomatic ties with the United States in Caracas on Jan. 23, 2019.

In Latin America, Democracy Itself Is at Stake

Election 2020
Ryan C. Berg
Residents of the Galápagos Islands hold a demonstration outside the court where the crew of a Chinese-flagged ship confiscated by the Ecuadorian Navy is attending a hearing, on Aug. 25, 2017.
Residents of the Galápagos Islands hold a demonstration outside the court where the crew of a Chinese-flagged ship confiscated by the Ecuadorian Navy is attending a hearing, on Aug. 25, 2017.

China’s Hunger for Seafood Is Now Latin America’s Problem

Argument
Ryan C. Berg
A woman poses for a snapshot holding a portrait of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during a demonstration in his support in Brasília on June 21.
A woman poses for a snapshot holding a portrait of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during a demonstration in his support in Brasília on June 21.

Bolsonaro’s Brush With the Coronavirus Empowered Him

Argument
Ryan C. Berg
Jair Bolsonaro looks on at a ceremony in which Eduardo Pazuello takes office as Minister of Health amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Brasilia on Sept. 16.
Jair Bolsonaro looks on at a ceremony in which Eduardo Pazuello takes office as Minister of Health amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Brasilia on Sept. 16.

Biden or Trump, the U.S.-Brazil Relationship Is Still Headed for Trouble

Argument
Ryan C. Berg, Thiago de Aragão
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani greets Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani greets Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

Iran May Be Eyeing the United States’ Soft Underbelly

Argument
Ryan C. Berg, Colin P. Clarke
Policemen are seen at a crime scene in Guadalajara, Jalisco, on Nov. 22.
Policemen are seen at a crime scene in Guadalajara, Jalisco, on Nov. 22.

In Mexico, AMLO’s Presidency Turned One

Argument
Ryan C. Berg, Alejandro Poiré
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro shake hands at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 2, 2013.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro shake hands at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 2, 2013.

Russia Is Gearing Up for a Conflict With the United States in the Caribbean

Argument
Ryan C. Berg
A woman and children walk past an armored vehicle in Rio de Janeiro on March 7, 2018.
A woman and children walk past an armored vehicle in Rio de Janeiro on March 7, 2018.

Brazilian Organized Crime Is All Grown Up

Argument
Ryan C. Berg, Antônio Sampaio
A member of the Bolivarian National Police Special Forces Group holds his gun during an operation against criminal groups in the Petare neighborhood of Caracas on Jan. 25.
A member of the Bolivarian National Police Special Forces Group holds his gun during an operation against criminal groups in the Petare neighborhood of Caracas on Jan. 25.

Venezuela Is Armed to the Hilt

Argument
Ryan C. Berg, Andrés Martínez-Fernández
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador shows a two-dollar bill in Mexico City on Feb. 15. (Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images)
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador shows a two-dollar bill in Mexico City on Feb. 15. (Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images)

A Central American Marshall Plan Won’t Work

Argument
Ryan C. Berg
Brazilian Judge Sergio Moro gestures as he leaves the house of Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro after a meeting, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on November 1, 2018. (MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP/Getty Images)
Brazilian Judge Sergio Moro gestures as he leaves the house of Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro after a meeting, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on November 1, 2018. (MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP/Getty Images)

Judging Bolsonaro

Argument
Ryan C. Berg
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