Jake is the Director of International Research at CEPR. His research has focused predominantly on economic policy in Latin America, the International Monetary Fund, and US foreign policy.
Jake has a BA in economics from Boston University and an MA in writing from Johns Hopkins University.
He is the lead author for CEPR’s Haiti: Relief and Reconstruction Watch blog, and his articles and op-eds have been published in outlets such as The New York Times, The Nation, Le Monde diplomatique, and Al Jazeera. He is the author of Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the Battle to Control Haiti from St. Martin’s Press.
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All from Jake Johnston
Colombia Under Petro: Social Gains Amid Monetary and Fiscal Constraints
A new CEPR report finds that Colombia experienced major social gains under President Gustavo Petro — including sharp reductions in poverty and unemployment — driven by rising real wages, expanded social spending, and increased investment in historically neglected regions. The report also examines how restrictive monetary policy and fiscal constraints weighed on private investment and shaped the country’s broader economic trajectory.
Haiti Doesn’t Need War. It Needs Peace.
As foreign troops set to deploy to Haiti again, Jake Johnston argues that there is another way: to build something new, Haiti doesn’t need war. It needs peace.
Jake Johnston on Democracy Now!
Jake Johnston discusses Trump’s upcoming “Shield of the Americas” summit in Miami, warning it reflects a long-running US strategy to consolidate a pro-US right-wing bloc in Latin America.
The Donroe Doctrine Fan Club Kicks Off in Miami
After the postponement of the 2025 Summit of the Americas, Donald Trump convenes a smaller gathering of allied Latin American and Caribbean leaders in Miami. The “Shield of the Americas” summit brings together right-wing governments supportive of Washington’s militarized “war on narco-terror” and its broader regional agenda.
Haiti Needs to Lay New Tracks
It’s been nearly a decade since Haitians last went to the polls to elect a president. Even then, barely one in five participated. In a country with a majority of the population under 25 years of age, this means that, for most Haitians, voting for one’s leaders is a privilege never before experienced.
Honduras: Social and Economic Indicators Ahead of the 2025 General Election
Since President Xiomara Castro has been in office, Poverty has come back down to pre-pandemic levels, inequality is continuing its downward trend, unemployment is at a decade-low, both public and private investment has reached new heights, and the country finds itself in a more sustainable economic position with low external debt.
Private Sector Assumes Control of Haitian State as DC Lobbying Picks up Pace
The two superficially contradictory developments — the consolidation of the private sector’s hold over government and the targeting of the private sector for sanctions and law enforcement action — have set off a wave of DC-based lobbying activity in recent months.
State Dept. Awards $60K for Pool Maintenance to Company Owned by Sanctioned Individual
Despite being sanctioned by Canada for corruption, Haitian businessman Salim Antonio Succar’s firm Klean-X S.A. has continued receiving lucrative contracts from the US, Canadian, and UN agencies—including over $1.4 million from the US Embassy in Haiti—raising serious questions about enforcement and coordination of international sanctions policy.
Where Does the Money Go? A Look at USAID Spending in Haiti
Discover the significance of USAID spending in Haiti and its implications for US foreign policy. Get expert analysis from Jake Johnston.
A Discussion About Haiti: “Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the Battle to Control Haiti”
Jake Johnston and Velina Charlier joined in this discussion about the book ‘Aid State’ and its relevance to the current state of Haiti.
