Christopher Hernandez-Roy

Christopher Hernandez-Roy serves as a senior fellow and deputy director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C., while maintaining an academic affiliation as an affiliated practitioner at James Madison University's Department of Political Science. His research focuses on democratic backsliding, transnational organized crime, geopolitics, and economic and national security issues across the Western Hemisphere including North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Dr. Hernandez-Roy's educational background includes:

• BA honors degree in history from Carleton University
• MPhil in international relations from the University of Cambridge

His research portfolio demonstrates deep expertise in monitoring democratic governance challenges throughout the Americas, analyzing transnational criminal networks, and assessing geopolitical competition in the region. Hernandez-Roy has developed specialized knowledge in U.S.-Latin American relations, with particular attention to how great power competition—especially China's expanding influence through legitimate and criminal channels—affects regional stability. His work consistently examines the intersection of security, governance, and economic policy in the hemisphere, with recent emphasis on trade dynamics, democratic resilience, and transnational security threats.

Analysis of his publication history reveals growing concern about China and Russia's military diplomacy in Latin America, the impact of U.S. trade policies on North American integration, and the evolving challenges of transnational crime affecting hemispheric security. His research demonstrates how democratic backsliding, corruption, and organized crime intersect to undermine regional stability and U.S. interests.

Hernandez-Roy's practical policy experience is substantial:

• Served as first director of the Department of Public Security at the OAS
• Led the Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions at the OAS
• Documented human rights abuses in Venezuela and co-led ICC case efforts
• Oversaw OAS Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia
• Negotiated anti-corruption missions in Honduras
• Resolved border disputes between multiple Central American nations

Early in his career, Hernandez-Roy worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, providing foundational security expertise. His policy insights are frequently sought by major media outlets including CBS, CTV, CBC, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and New York Times, and he has testified before Congress on Western Hemisphere affairs. His work bridges academic analysis and practical policy implementation through his dual roles at CSIS and James Madison University.