Latin America

Americas

Latin America’s middle class has doubled, the region has awoken to the fight against corruption, economies have begun to diversify, and democratic institutions have largely taken hold. A key partner for the United States, Europe, and other corners of the globe, Latin America is an influential actor in the new global order and is prepared to address future challenges on a regional and international level.

Recent analysis

Strengthening state presence in Colombia’s conflict-affected territories

Dispatches Mar 12, 2026

To succeed, Trump’s Shield of the Americas should focus on institutions as well as cartels

By Henrique Arevalo Poincot

The strongest defense is a hemisphere where institutions are resilient enough to resist and dismantle criminal networks.

Americas Central America

Dispatches Mar 2, 2026

Decapitation strikes are not enough to take on Mexico’s cartels. Here’s what else the US should do.

By Charlotte Bertrand

Strikes on cartels should be combined with greater efforts to disrupt supply and reduce substance use disorder in the United States.

Latin America Mexico

Issue Brief Feb 27, 2026

One month in, can Honduras’ new president put the country on the path to lasting economic gains?

By María Fernanda Bozmoski, Isabella Palacios

President Nasry Asfura’s early reforms have signaled a focus on fiscal austerity and competitiveness, sending positive messages to investors and to President Donald Trump, who backed him during the campaign. Sustaining this momentum will require significant structural reforms.

Americas Central America

Programs

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center broadens understanding of regional transformations and delivers constructive, results-oriented solutions to inform how the public and private sectors can advance hemispheric prosperity.

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Content

Issue Brief

Sep 2, 2026

Strengthening state presence in Colombia’s conflict-affected territories

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Colombia's new president has made restoring state authority in the country's conflict-affected territories a central priority as armed groups compete to control communities and economies. In the wake of the August 10 earthquake, the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition outlines how Colombia, with US support, can build lasting state presence.

Americas Colombia

Dispatches

Sep 1, 2026

How the US–Canada trade dispute is seen in Mexico

By Brenda Estefan

For Mexico, the US–Canada trade rupture is neither a model to emulate nor a warning against confronting Trump. It is a window into the USMCA negotiations ahead.

Americas Mexico

EnergySource

Sep 1, 2026

Four questions on the US-Venezuelan oil deal

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

The impact of the "historic" oil deal between the US and Venezuela will remain uncertain until several unresolved issues are addressed.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Econographics

Aug 25, 2026

Maritime trade routes are under threat—and markets still underprice the risks

By Alex Mills

Conflict, climate change, and geopolitical tensions are putting unprecedented pressure on the world's most important waterways. The economic costs are set to ripple far beyond the shipping industry.

Central America Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Aug 20, 2026

A Colombia-Venezuela agenda for recovery, security, and economic growth

By the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

The recent earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia have created urgent humanitarian needs that will require sustained international support. As recovery advances, the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition outlines how both countries, with US support, can build a cooperation agenda.

Colombia Economy & Business

EnergySource

Aug 17, 2026

The oil shock is sorting Latin America. The dividing line is institutions, not barrels.

By Liliana Diaz

Latin American countries that have been resilient amid the oil shock show how the region as a whole can reset its energy agenda toward stability.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Issue Brief

Aug 13, 2026

A path toward sustainable security in Colombia

By Geoff Ramsey, Ilona Barrero

Colombia has a long road ahead to sustainable peace. Recognizing the failures of past approaches, the incoming government could seek a new security strategy that draws on building state presence in conflict areas and clear institutional frameworks to foster safety and security for Colombian citizens going forward.

Americas Colombia

Dispatches

Aug 12, 2026

A deadly earthquake gives Colombia’s new president his first test

By Jason Marczak

After the earthquake, de la Espriella must demonstrate firm leadership and his commitment to making the state work in the regions.

Colombia Elections

Report

Aug 11, 2026

Mapeo de la inversión estadounidense en América Latina y el Caribe

By Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, Martin Cassinelli

Las inversiones de China en América Latina y el Caribe acaparan los titulares pero, aunque Estados Unidos ha sido durante mucho tiempo el mayor inversionista de la región, se sabe menos sobre hacia dónde van sus inversiones. Nuevos datos muestran qué países y sectores reciben la mayor inversión estadounidense, y cómo esa inversión afecta a las economías locales.

Economy & Business Latin America

Dispatches

Aug 7, 2026

Abelardo de la Espriella takes office in Colombia with a head start in Washington

By Jason Marczak

The new Colombian president and his US counterpart should seize the opportunity to reset the long-term bilateral relationship.

Colombia Economy & Business

Experts

Staff

Olivia Torres

Project Assistant

Artificial Intelligence Latin America

Staff

Ignacio Albe

Assistant Director

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Argentina Latin America

Millennium fellow

Pablo Arcuri

Program Lead, Safety of Journalists, Free Press Unlimited

Millennium Leadership Program

Latin America Media

Fellow

Henrique Arevalo Poincot

Nonresident Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Elections Latin America

Millennium fellow

Iliyana Arnaudova

Clean Energy Finance Manager, C40

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

Staff

Ana Arriagada

Assistant Director, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Civil Society

Events

Online Event Tue, September 22, 2026 • 2:00 pm ET

Bringing US investment to Latin America’s growth agenda

Caribbean Economy & Business Latin America

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Issue briefs and reports

Fast Thinking

Dispatches

Inflection Points

UkraineAlert

MENASource

Econographics

Latin America

Recent analysis

To succeed, Trump’s Shield of the Americas should focus on institutions as well as cartels

Decapitation strikes are not enough to take on Mexico’s cartels. Here’s what else the US should do.

One month in, can Honduras’ new president put the country on the path to lasting economic gains?

Programs

Content

Strengthening state presence in Colombia’s conflict-affected territories

How the US–Canada trade dispute is seen in Mexico

Four questions on the US-Venezuelan oil deal

Maritime trade routes are under threat—and markets still underprice the risks

A Colombia-Venezuela agenda for recovery, security, and economic growth

The oil shock is sorting Latin America. The dividing line is institutions, not barrels.

A path toward sustainable security in Colombia

A deadly earthquake gives Colombia’s new president his first test

Mapeo de la inversión estadounidense en América Latina y el Caribe

Abelardo de la Espriella takes office in Colombia with a head start in Washington

Experts

Olivia Torres

Ignacio Albe

Pablo Arcuri

Henrique Arevalo Poincot

Iliyana Arnaudova

Ana Arriagada

Events

Bringing US investment to Latin America’s growth agenda

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