Featured Content

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

Stay Updated


To stay up to date on our insight, analysis, and events covering pressing political, economic, and strategic issues across the region, sign up below.

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!

watch more

Stay connected

Content

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2016

Impressions from a Trip to Japan

For one week in February, an Atlantic Council team and peers from Washington-based academic institutions and think tanks visited Tokyo, Hiroshima, Saijo, and Miyajima to learn about the culture, traditions, and international policies of Japan. We attended meetings with representatives of government agencies, private companies, and local think tanks. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sponsored […]

Japan

Report

Apr 5, 2016

An Innovator’s Journey: The Makings of Mexico’s Knowledge Economy

By Arturo Franco

A new report by the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center highlights Mexico’s rarely-told story: a growing global hub for innovation. The paper shows a different side to Mexico, one that is not reflected in the divisive rhetoric on the bilateral relationship emanating from the United States. Instead, a deeper relationship with the new […]

Mexico

In the News

Apr 4, 2016

Schechter Quoted by Forbes on Innovation in Mexico

By Peter Schechter

This article details the rise of small and medium sized businesses and innovative start-ups by Mexican entrepreneurs. Businesses that create more knowledge or skills-intensive jobs within Mexico are helping to wean the country off its traditional reliance on exporting commodities, oil and gas, and cheap labor (via remittances) for economic growth.

Mexico

New Atlanticist

Mar 31, 2016

Impeaching Brazilian President Rousseff Will Cement a Crooked System

By Andrea Murta

Brazil inched one step closer to impeaching President Dilma Rousseff on March 29 when a main coalition partner, the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), officially parted ways with the government. A vote is scheduled in the lower chamber of Congress for mid-April; with most PMDB votes now against Rousseff, the impeachment will likely be approved […]

Brazil

Event Recap

Mar 23, 2016

Latin America’s Infrastructure Potential: A Missing Key to Improving Trade

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

On June 26, 2016, Panama will formally inaugurate an expanded canal that promises to reduce congestion and double its shipping capacity. Panama is not alone in such efforts: in order to bolster competitiveness, more countries across Latin America are pursuing infrastructure projects to expand their trade capacities. While some institutions like Colombia’s Port of Cartagena […]

In the News

Mar 23, 2016

Schechter Quoted by CNN on President Obama’s Visit to Cuba and Argentina

By Peter Schechter

Read the full article here.

Cuba Latin America

In the News

Mar 23, 2016

DeLevie-Orey Joins Al Jazeera English to Discuss President Obama’s Visit to Cuba

By Rachel DeLevie-Orey

Watch the interview here.

Cuba

In the News

Mar 22, 2016

DeLevie-Orey Joins National Public Radio to Discuss US Relations With Cuba and the US-Cuba Embargo

By Rachel DeLevie-Orey

Cuba United States and Canada

In the News

Mar 21, 2016

Marczak Quoted by Voice of America on US Engagement with Cuba

By Jason Marczak

Read the full article here.

Cuba

In the News

Mar 21, 2016

Schechter Quoted by Telesur on Trade and Investment Between the US and Cuba

By Peter Schechter

Read the full article here.

Cuba United States and Canada
Load More