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Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

New Atlanticist Sep 19, 2025

Where does the US-Brazil relationship go after Bolsonaro’s conviction?

By Ricardo Sennes, Valentina Sader

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was found guilty of attempting a coup and sentenced to twenty-seven years and three months in prison.
Brazil Politics & Diplomacy
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Issue Brief Sep 19, 2025

Secure supply chains for the US run through its closest neighbors

By Jose Manuel Restrepo and Martin Cassinelli

Central America and the Dominican Republic are emerging as key partners for US economic security. Strengthening rule of law, workforce skills, and trade frameworks can secure lasting, mutually beneficial economic integration.
Americas Caribbean
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

New Atlanticist Sep 19, 2025

Five charts that show the challenge of countering Mexico’s criminal organizations

By Aaron Kolleda

Washington’s broader campaign to eliminate criminal organizations is a challenging one, since these organizations have become so deeply embedded in Mexico.
Economy & Business Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade

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Geographic priorities

Argentina

Argentina plays a key role in the economic landscape of the Americas, with strong potential for deeper integration with the United States. AALAC promotes policies that support Argentina’s fiscal resilience and strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.

Brazil

As Latin America’s largest economy, Brazil is central to regional economic stability and geopolitics. AALAC advances a forward-looking US-Brazil agenda by fostering strategic dialogue and promoting sustainable, innovation-driven cooperation across trade, energy, and agriculture.

Caribbean

The Caribbean is among the world’s most vulnerable regions, exposed to climate-induced disasters, economic shocks, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. The Caribbean Initiative raises awareness about regional priorities and deepens US and global engagement across issues such as energy security, financial inclusion, and economic competitiveness.

Central America

A secure and prosperous Central America is vital to US national and economic interests. AALAC advances strategic engagement that strengthens supply chains, attracts investment, and supports democratic governance as pillars for long-term regional prosperity.

Colombia

Colombia and the United States share a longstanding partnership rooted in security, development, and commercial ties. AALAC advances understanding of issues critical to US interests and works to ensure that Colombia can serve as a vital US ally in South America for decades to come.

Mexico

As the United States’ top trading partner, Mexico plays a notable role in advancing investment and cross-border commerce. AALAC supports engagement to strengthen commercial ties, address shared security challenges, and align opportunities to incentivize productive investment.

Venezuela

Once a thriving democracy, Venezuela has fallen into a years-long crisis with regional and global implications. AALAC promotes a peaceful, democratic solution by engaging stakeholders and shaping incentives to move forward a democratic opening while also advancing US economic, security, and geopolitical interests.

THEMATIC AREAS IN FOCUS

China-Latin America

China is a growing trade partner and source of financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. AALAC, alongside the Global China Hub, provides nuanced, up-to-date understanding of the trajectory and risks of an evolving relationship with China.

Economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America is a key market for US goods and investment. The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center works to deepen commercial ties, increase investment, and support economic security by highlighting the importance of the region’s economies in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Technology and digital security in Latin America and the Caribbean

As digital security threats grow—and as Latin America and the Caribbean’s tech and telecommunications sectors drive more innovation and investment—the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, alongside the Atlantic Council Technology Programs, strengthens regional resilience and spotlights the region’s potential to build a more secure digital future.

Security and transnational criminal organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean

Transnational criminal organizations, which rake in billions in revenue annually, pose severe threats to economic and democratic stability. The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center analyzes the growth of these security threats through cutting-edge analysis and comprehensive policy frameworks designed to undercut the sophisticated business operations of these groups.

Experts of the Americas Series

Our Experts of the Americas video series brings together thought leaders from countries and industries across the region for in-depth conversations on the most pressing issues. Stay tuned for the next episode!

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Content

New Atlanticist

Jul 15, 2016

From Scandal to Silver Lining: Petrobras’ Offering Opportunity for Brazil’s Energy Sector

By Meghan Rowley

The Lavo Jato corruption investigations, also known as Operation Car Wash, into Petrobras, Brazil’s oil giant, shocked the energy sector and helped fuel one of the country’s worst recessions. Nonetheless, some analysts are optimistic that the industry can open itself up to foreign investors and domestic competition to once again generate prosperity. “The energy industry […]

Brazil Energy & Environment

Report

Jul 14, 2016

Oil & gas in Brazil: A new silver lining?

By Décio Oddone

Transformations in Brazil's energy sector could be critical to rebooting the broader economy. Today, with state-owned Petrobras still reeling from political scandal, one development welcomed by investors is a bill gaining steam in Congress to open offshore oil discoveries to greater private investment. Is this the beginning of more changes to come?

Americas Brazil

Event Recap

Jul 14, 2016

Oil and Gas in Brazil: A New Silver Lining?

By Nicolas Jimenez

As Brazil experiences a period of transition, with president Dilma Roussef facing impeachment and Michel Timer leading an interim government, its energy sector’s faces a turning point. For the past 50 years, state-owned oil giant Petrobras has dominated Brazil’s energy industry. In the recent past, however, scandals involving top officials in Petrobras and in the […]

Brazil Energy & Environment

Event Recap

Jul 14, 2016

Welcome Reception for Ambassador Sada

By Alejandra Rodriguez

For the last decades, Mexico has worked to transform its society and economy through strategic partnerships and economic reforms. Today, however, this transformation is increasingly being called into question. To address next steps for the US-Mexico relationship and to welcome the new Mexican Ambassador to the US, Carlos Manuel Sada, Baker & McKenzie LLP and […]

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2016

Post-Ceasefire, Entrepreneurship Enables Social Inclusion in Colombia

By Meghan Rowley

With the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on June 23, many have asked how the deal will help the country recover from decades of violence. However, the solution may depend on not just the agreement, but also the stable economic development of civil […]

Colombia

Event Recap

Jul 11, 2016

The Disruptors: Reimagining Business in Latin America

By Alejandra Rodriguez

After the end of a 50-year-old conflict in Colombia, the country is now partaking in a historical peace process. With it, new business development opportunities have emerged. To address some of these prospects, Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Inter-American Development Bank, and Ben Powell Founder and CEO of Agora Partnerships participated in a film […]

In the News

Jul 10, 2016

Marczak Quoted by Financial Times on Argentina’s Shift in Foreign Policy

By Jason Marczak

Read the full article here.

Latin America

In the News

Jul 8, 2016

Marczak Writes for Peru’s El Comercio About the Importance of the Pacific Alliance for the Agenda of Peru’s President-Elect Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (PPK)

By Jason Marczak

Read the full article here.

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2016

Economic Growth Seen as “Path to Power” in Brazil, But Will Politics Let It Happen?

By Meghan Rowley

Amid political uncertainty and a deepening recession, economic growth is seen as the “key” to reform and prosperity in Brazil. “If we fail economic growth, all the other scenarios would be a disaster,” said Ricardo Sennes, a nonresident senior Brazil fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. “Not just disaster in the […]

Brazil Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Jul 6, 2016

The Future of Brazilian Politics: Where We Place Our Bets

By Ricardo Sennes and Andrea Murta

In the midst of Brazil’s current political earthquake, projecting the future of power and politics in the country is an uncertain endeavor. But the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center is taking that chance. The Center has engaged one of Brazil’s top thinkers, our nonresident senior Brazil fellow and economist Ricardo Sennes, to analyze what current […]

Brazil
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