Recent analysis

Delcy Rodríguez’s untenable balancing act

Issue Brief Nov 19, 2025

Why modernizing CAFTA-DR matters for the United States, and options for updating the trade pact

By Enrique Millán-Mejía, Antonio Ortiz Mena, and Rocío Rivera Barradas

Central America and the Dominican Republic are emerging as key partners for US economic security. The United States has a unique opportunity to reform its free trade agreement with the region—CAFTA-DR—to strengthen these ties.
Americas Economy & Business
Delcy Rodríguez’s untenable balancing act

New Atlanticist Nov 6, 2025

The expert conversation: What’s Trump’s endgame in Venezuela?

By Matthew Kroenig, Jason Marczak

We spoke to Matthew Kroenig and Jason Marczak to shed light on the US campaign of attacks on alleged drug boats and lay out what’s next.
Conflict Human Rights
Delcy Rodríguez’s untenable balancing act

New Atlanticist Nov 17, 2025

Chile’s next president will either be from the far right or the far left. Washington should watch closely.

By Maite Gonzalez Latorre

Either José Antonio Kast or Jeanette Jara will be Chile’s next president. The country is headed for a change no matter who wins.
Economy & Business Elections

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

Dispatches

Jan 8, 2026

Delcy Rodríguez’s untenable balancing act

By Iria Puyosa

Venezuela’s new acting president must choose between accommodating the Trump administration’s demands and preserving unity among the regime’s Chavista base.

Conflict
Democratic Transitions

Dispatches

Jan 8, 2026

What it takes to revive Venezuela’s oil and gas industry

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

International oil companies are unlikely to make major new investments in Venezuela without greater legal and regulatory certainty.

Latin America
Oil and Gas

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Kroenig interviewed in the New Yorker on military action in Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed in The New Yorker on the ousting of Nicolás Maduro. He contends that in using military force, President Trump showed that US threats are credible, and draws a distinction between targeted, limited uses of military might and long-term wars.

Americas
Latin America

Trackers and Data Visualizations

Jan 7, 2026

US-Brazil trade dashboard

By the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Amid the United States' high-stakes trade offensive against Brazil, this tracker monitors how tariffs are reshaping the trajectory of US-Brazil commerce.

Americas
Brazil

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Kroenig on DW News on US oil tanker seizures in the Caribbean

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on DW-TV about the US seizure of a Russian flagged oil tanker carrying Venezuelan oil. He contends that the move signaled US resolve in quarantining the Venezuelan regime and adopting a firmer approach toward Russia in the Western hemisphere.

Americas
Latin America

Dispatches

Jan 7, 2026

Why Maduro’s removal could ultimately benefit China

By Melanie Hart

Two important factors make the recent US operation in Venezuela less of a loss for China than many analysts realize.

China
Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 6, 2026

Kroenig featured in the New York Times on ousting Maduro

By Atlantic Council

On January 6, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig wrote an article in the New York Times titled "Trump Was Right to Oust Maduro." He argues that Maduro threatened vital US security interests, and that his removal from power creates opportunity for better governance in Venezuela.

Politics & Diplomacy
Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Politico on US policy in Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

On January 5, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in Politico's "National Security Daily" on the Trump administration's Venezuela policy. He explains that administration's ambiguity is intentional and aimed at preventing fractures within the Republican party.

National Security
Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Jan 5, 2026

Now comes the hard part: What Trump should do next to secure Venezuela’s democratic future

By Jason Marczak

The United States is now forced to depend on the remnants of the Maduro regime for the next stage in the mission.

Democratic Transitions
Latin America

Dispatches

Jan 5, 2026

Greenland is Europe’s strategic blind spot—and its responsibility

By Justina Budginaite-Froehly

If Europe wants to ensure that no one can do to Greenland what the United States did in Venezuela, then it must stop relying on rules alone.

Europe & Eurasia
Maritime Security
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Experts

Fellow

Erin K. McFee

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Latin America National Security

Expert bio

James Story

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

English Latin America

Staff

Camilla Reitherman

Program Assistant

Millennium Leadership Program

Caribbean Civil Society

Staff

Isabella Palacios

Program Assistant

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Americas Central America

Advisory Council member

Clifford Sobel

Former United States Ambassador to Brazil

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Brazil Economy & Business

Advisory Council member

Jacqueline Bern de Mena

Chief executive officer, Grupo Bern

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Central America English
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Events

Online Event Mon, January 12, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

2026 in the Americas: Stories that may drive the news
Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Democratic Transitions Latin America