The Re-Ordering of Maritime Chokepoints in the Western Hemisphere

Maritime security in the Western Hemisphere has long been understood through the lens of traditional counter-narcotics and regional stability. However, the convergence of global supply chain reconfigurations and heightened strategic competition demands a reassessment of Caribbean maritime chokepoints.

The strategic value of key passages—from the Windward Passage to the Panama Canal access routes—is no longer defined solely by commercial throughput. As external powers seek long-term influence over port infrastructure and logistical nodes across Latin America and the Caribbean, these waters are becoming key arenas of subtle power projection. Maintaining open, secure sea lanes requires moving beyond reactive security arrangements toward a integrated strategy that aligns economic resilience, intelligence sharing, and naval domain awareness across regional partners.