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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

In the News

May 31, 2016

Marczak Quoted by Reuters on Latin America’s Pacific Trade Bloc

By Jason Marczak

Read the full article here.

Latin America

In the News

May 30, 2016

Marczak Quoted by Forbes on Latin America’s Pacific Alliance

By Jason Marczak

Read the full article here.

Latin America

In the News

May 27, 2016

Marczak Quoted by New York Times on Venezuela’s Economy

By Jason Marczak

Read the full article here.

Venezuela

Event Recap

May 27, 2016

Pacific Alliance 2.0: Next Steps in Integration

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

In a few weeks, the presidents of the four Pacific Alliance countries—Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and Peru—will meet in Chile for their 11th Summit. Changing political winds in Mercosur giants Argentina and Brazil hint that we may be on the cusp of greater collaboration between the two blocs. The time is ripe to formalize this rapprochement.

Report

May 25, 2016

Pacific Alliance 2.0: Next Steps in Integration

By Jason Marczak and Samuel George, with María Fernanda Pérez Argüello, Andrea Saldarriaga Jiménez

The Pacific Alliance–an innovative pact among Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru–has unprecedented opportunity to capitalize on political changes in Brazil and Argentina and move the region into a new era of regional integration. A new publication by the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and the Bertelsmann Foundation, released just weeks ahead of the […]

Mexico

Event Recap

May 20, 2016

International Trade & Politics: Implications for 2016 and Beyond

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

On May 19 the Atlantic Council and Baker & McKenzie held the 2016 Global Commerce Forum in Mexico City with distinguished thought leaders for a discussion on “International Trade & Politics: Implications for 2016 and Beyond.”

In the News

May 17, 2016

Atlantic Council Event with Admiral Michael Mullen on TPP Featured in Politico

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

May 17, 2016

Failure to Quickly Ratify TPP Will Delay Trade Deal by ‘at Least a Decade’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Retired Adm. Michael Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sees lack of political capital A failure by Congress to speedily ratify a free-trade agreement between the United States and eleven other Pacific Rim nations will mean that it would take “at least a decade” to muster the political capital needed to push […]

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

Article

May 17, 2016

Spotlight: TPP

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

The digital economy has broken down traditional borders and leveled the playing field in many ways. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) aims to keep tearing down outdated barriers in the digital economy and would allow US-led rules to become the standard for free trade in all forms. The immediate future of a TPP vote in the […]

New Atlanticist

May 17, 2016

Brazil’s Salvation: It’s Not the Economy, Stupid

By Andrea Murta

In his first speech as the new acting president of Brazil, Michel Temer said on May 12 that he would form a government of “national salvation.” It was an interesting choice of words: given the depth of the problems the country is facing right now Brazil clearly needs some sort of redemption. But if you […]

Brazil
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