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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

Mar 8, 2016

Women in Colombia Hold the Key to Peace

By Andrea Saldarriaga Jiménez

In many countries, women are agents of change who bring about positive transformations not only for themselves, but for the societies in which they live. In other parts of the world, however, women are victimized and still relegated to second-class citizens. Sometimes these two things can be happening at the same time in the same […]

Colombia

In the News

Mar 6, 2016

Schechter Quoted by O Globo Newspaper on the Strength of Brazilian Institutions in the Midst of a Serious Political Crisis

By Peter Schechter

Read the full article here.

Brazil

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2016

Absence of a Plan B Will Give Brazil’s President Rousseff a Lifeline

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Already under impeachment pressure, Rousseff feels heat from former President Lula’s detention The brief detention of former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in connection with a federal investigation of a bribery and money laundering scheme turns up the heat on his successor, but it is unlikely that Dilma Rousseff will be impeached in […]

Brazil

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2016

The End of the Lula Era in Brazil

By Andrea Murta

March 4, 2016, will go down in Brazilian history books as the end of the Lula era. On this date, iconic former President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was taken into police custody after being accused of allegedly receiving more than $8 million in bribes and undue advantages in connection with the corruption scandal involving […]

Brazil Latin America

Event Recap

Feb 25, 2016

Conference Call: ‘Five Steps to Grow the Cuban Economy’

By Edward Andrew Lee

Less than a month away from President Obama’s unprecedented trip to Cuba, the Atlantic Council hosted a public conference call featuring former US Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez, and former Chief Economist at the Office of International Affairs at the US Department of the Treasury and Tufts University professor Michael Klein. Moderated by Peter Schechter, […]

In the News

Feb 24, 2016

Marczak Quoted by Boston Globe US Foreign Policy Strategy Toward Mexico

By Jason Marczak

Read the full interview here.

Mexico

Report

Feb 24, 2016

Five Steps to Grow the Cuban Economy: What the US and Cuba Can Do in Obama’s Final Year

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Twenty-five days before US President Barack Obama touches down in Havana, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center launched a new report that lays out the next step for Cuba’s continued progress. For the United States and Cuba to continue building on progress in the bilateral opening, the two countries must work to integrate […]

Cuba

In the News

Feb 24, 2016

Weathering the Storm Atlantic Council Event on Latin America Economic Growth and Political Stability Featured in Pagina 12 (Spanish)

By Jason Marczak

Read the full article here.

Latin America

In the News

Feb 24, 2016

Atlantic Council Argentina Trade Minister Event Featured in Politico

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

Latin America United States and Canada

Event Recap

Feb 23, 2016

Conversation with Argentina Secretary of Trade: New Government, New Outlook

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

On the heels of President Obama’s announcement of his March 23-24 trip to Argentina, the Atlantic Council held a public keynote conversation with Argentina Secretary of Trade Miguel Braun. The event was held on February 23rd, 2016, at the Atlantic Council Headquarters.

Latin America
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