Steven Holmes

CFR Staff

Steven Holmes

Research Associate, Latin America Studies

Steven Holmes is a research associate for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Before joining CFR, he was a program associate in the Asia and Latin America program at the Inter-American Dialogue. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and environmental studies from Tufts University and a master's in international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

China Strategy Initiative

China in Latin America: February 2025

In February, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the region and warned of Chinese encroachment. Several Latin American countries expanded trade and investment relations with China. Chinese-funded mining projects went online in Bolivia and Argentina.

Article by Steven Holmes February 26, 2025 China Strategy Initiative
China Strategy Initiative

China in Latin America: December 2024

In December, China countered U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s claims about the Panama Canal. Brazilian labor authorities uncovered “slavery-like conditions” at a construction site for Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD. Mexico introduced new tariffs targeting Chinese textiles and e-commerce platforms.

Article by Julia Huesa and Steven Holmes January 7, 2025 China Strategy Initiative
China Strategy Initiative

China in Latin America: November 2024

This month, Peru and Brazil hosted the APEC and G20 leaders' summits, respectively, where Chinese President Xi Jinping met with a host of Latin American leaders. During the APEC summit, Peru and China unveiled the Port of Chancay and signed an upgraded free trade agreement. Trump's re-election could result in increased U.S. attention on Chinese engagement with Latin America. The United States and Canada scrutinize Chinese investment in Mexico with the 2026 USMCA review looming.

Article by Steven Holmes and Julia Huesa November 26, 2024 China Strategy Initiative
Latin America

Illegal Gold Finances Latin America’s Dictators & Cartels. The United States Must Lead the Fight Against It.

Four policy ideas to curb illegal gold mining in the Western Hemisphere.

Post by Will Freeman and Steven Holmes November 15, 2024 Latin America’s Moment
China Strategy Initiative

China in Latin America: October 2024

This month, Argentina’s President Javier Milei changed tack on China, announcing plans for a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Colombia resolved to join the BRI and Brazil backed out. Mexico explored incentives for companies shifting their supply chains from China, and tariffs on low-cost products from Chinese e-commerce platforms.

Article by Julia Huesa and Steven Holmes November 1, 2024 China Strategy Initiative
Latin America

Drug Traffickers Launder Millions Through Remittances. Here’s How to Stop Them.

Four steps Congress and U.S. embassies can take to safeguard remittances from abuse.

Post by Will Freeman, Steven Holmes and Mariana Fernandez Rubach October 22, 2024 Latin America’s Moment
China

China in Latin America: September 2024

This month, China’s engagement with Latin America primarily focused on trade and investment, highlighted by Brazil’s announcement of an interministerial working group to explore the South American country’s entry into China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Article by Steven Holmes and Julia Huesa September 27, 2024 China Strategy Initiative
Colombia

“Total Peace” is Dead. For Petro, Partial Peace is the Best Remaining Option

Gustavo Petro must rethink his talks with armed groups before they fail completely.

Post by Will Freeman and Steven Holmes September 24, 2024 Latin America’s Moment
Immigration and Migration

Why Six Countries Account for Most Migrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border

Photo Essay by Will Freeman, Steven Holmes and Sabine Baumgartner July 9, 2024
Colombia

Petro’s Total Peace Plan Turns One: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Petro’s peace plan is neither a total failure nor a total success, for now.

Post by Will Freeman and Steven Holmes August 30, 2023 Latin America’s Moment

Taiwan

Why China-Taiwan Relations Are So Tense

Differences over Taiwan’s status have fueled rising tensions between the island and mainland. Taiwan is the likeliest potential flash point in U.S.-China relations.

Backgrounder by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong March 19, 2025

Ukraine

Here’s How Much Aid the United States Has Sent Ukraine

Ten charts illustrate the extraordinary level of support the United States has provided Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders.

Article by Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow March 11, 2025

Palestinian Territories

The UN’s Palestinian Aid Controversy: What’s at Stake

The leading UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees faces severe funding cuts and suspended services, with huge consequences for millions of Palestinians. It remains enmeshed in controversy over accusations that some of its employees were involved in Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel.

In Brief by Christina Bouri March 6, 2025

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