Op-Ed: Nick Raineri: Why Chris Landau is the right choice for Deputy Secretary of State

For too long, U.S. policy toward Latin America has been reactive rather than proactive. Chris Landau represents a much-needed shift.

Latin America has long been the forgotten corner of U.S. foreign policy. Despite its proximity and importance, the region has often been relegated to the periphery of strategic discussions, overshadowed by crises in the Middle East, competition in Asia, and alliances in Europe. This neglect has come at a cost.

While Washington looks elsewhere, Beijing has aggressively deepened its ties in Latin America, gaining a foothold in our own hemisphere. The time has come for a reset — and the Trump administration’s nomination of Christopher Landau as Deputy Secretary of State signals that Latin America may finally get the attention it deserves.

Chris Landau is uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between rhetoric and meaningful engagement with our neighbors to the south. As a seasoned diplomat with deep ties to the region, Landau brings a wealth of experience and cultural understanding that few can match. He grew up in Paraguay, giving him firsthand knowledge of Latin American culture and politics. Later, as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico under the Trump administration, he navigated one of the most complex bilateral relationships in the world.

During his tenure, he focused primarily on stemming the tide of illegal immigration, a critical issue for both nations.

But Landau’s most significant qualification isn’t just his resume; it’s his vision. He understands what many in Washington fail to grasp: Latin America is not a secondary priority but a strategic imperative.

The region is home to key trade partners, critical supply chains, and emerging democracies.

Neglecting it leaves a vacuum that adversaries like China are all too eager to fill. Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative has financed infrastructure projects from the Caribbean to the Andes, indebting governments and expanding China’s influence. Meanwhile, the U.S. has struggled to articulate a coherent strategy to counter this encroachment.

Landau’s appointment could change that. His familiarity with the region’s dynamics and his track record of effective diplomacy make him the ideal candidate to lead a renewed focus on Latin America.

Under his leadership, the State Department would have the expertise needed to counter China’s advances, bolster democratic institutions, and strengthen economic ties. Moreover, his ability to connect with Latin American leaders on a personal level, rooted in his cultural fluency and deep respect for the region, would reinvigorate U.S. partnerships at a critical time.

Critics may argue that focusing on Latin America comes at the expense of other pressing global challenges, but this is a false dichotomy. Addressing issues in our own hemisphere strengthens our position globally. A stable and prosperous Latin America creates a buffer against external threats, ensures secure supply chains, and provides a foundation for collaborative solutions to transnational challenges like organized crime and illegal immigration

For too long, U.S. policy toward Latin America has been reactive rather than proactive. Chris Landau represents a much-needed shift. His nomination sends a powerful signal that this administration recognizes the strategic importance of our neighbors and is committed to reversing decades of neglect. By elevating someone with his depth of experience and vision, the United States has an opportunity to reclaim its role as a leader in the hemisphere.

Latin America can no longer be an afterthought in U.S. foreign policy. With Chris Landau as Deputy Secretary of State, it won’t be. His leadership promises a new era of partnership and progress — one in which Latin America is truly forgotten no more.

Nicholas Raineri is a Principal at Metis Endeavor. He has served as a senior Congressional aide to Reps. Byron Donalds and Jim Banks, and helped create the Office of Strategic Capital within the U.S. Department of Defense. He also grew up in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and speaks fluent Spanish.