Featured Content

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

New Atlanticist Sep 10, 2025

Why the Pentagon had been reluctant to combat narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere

By Kevin Whitaker

The recent US strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel is a reminder that the US military had for years resisted getting more deeply involved in counternarcotics.
Latin America Maritime Security
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

New Atlanticist Sep 10, 2025

What to know about Trump’s war on drug trafficking from Venezuela

By Atlantic Council experts

The recent US strike on a suspected drug trafficking boat is best understood in the context of the Trump administration’s policies toward Venezuela and the wider Western Hemisphere.
Caribbean Latin America
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

New Atlanticist Sep 8, 2025

What Guyanese President Irfaan Ali is likely to focus on in his second term

By Wazim Mowla

As Guyana’s economy continues its mind-boggling growth, the president has secured a second term on the promise to “build more prosperity in every family and every home.”
Elections Inclusive Growth

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

Nov 17, 2015

In America’s Heartland, Obama’s Cuba Policy is a Winner

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council poll finds Republicans and Democrats want travel restrictions lifted A majority of Americans in the heartland states — Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee — support US President Barack Obama’s decision to restore diplomatic ties with Cuba and are in favor of lifting all restrictions on travel to the island, according to a new […]

Cuba

Event Recap

Nov 17, 2015

New Leadership, New Policies? Implications of Argentina’s Presidential Election

By Oriana Piña

It is anyone’s game on Argentina’s Election Day. In the first round of voting, pollsters predicted a win for Daniel Scioli from the ruling Frente para la Victoria (FPV) party. To the surprise of many, the results came in at a tight three percentage point difference. Days before the run-off elections, Mauricio Macri from the […]

Elections Latin America

Article

Nov 17, 2015

Atlantic Council Poll Finds Bipartisan Support for Wider Cuba Opening

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

With presidential races heating up in key primary states, the Atlantic Council’s new US-Cuba poll of voters in America’s heartland finds majority support in both parties for further opening trade, travel, and investment with Cuba. Voters in Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa—though they largely consider the United States on the ‘wrong track’—strongly favor lifting trade […]

Cuba

Webcasts

Nov 17, 2015

Beyond Washington: America’s Heartland Supports US-Cuba Engagement

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Please join us on November 17, 2015 for the release of the first Heartland poll where voters from Iowa, Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana — states critical in the presidential election and in congressional discussions — speak out on the need for further changes to US-Cuba policy.

Event Recap

Nov 13, 2015

Social Progress Reconsidered: What Really Is Success?

By Roberta Braga

Economic growth has improved the lives of millions worldwide, yet it has become increasingly clear that measures of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are not the sole indicators of a society’s growth and well-being. In considering social progress, it is important to account for citizens’ access to basic necessities, to knowledge, and to opportunities for growth. […]

Economy & Business Latin America

Event Recap

Nov 12, 2015

Conference Call: Inside the Trans-Pacific Partnership – Summary

By Roberta Braga

Following the US government’s release of the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs Caroline Atkinson joined Deputy Director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Jason Marczak in a public conference call to discuss the next phase of the deal. Comprising thirty chapters and more than […]

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

Report

Nov 12, 2015

Path to peace and prosperity the Colombian miracle

By Miguel Silva

  Colombia approaches the third anniversary of the negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on November 19 at a time of heightened expectations that peace is within reach. The Atlantic Council report, The Path to Peace and Prosperity: The Colombian Miracle, warns that peace will not be inexpensive and calls for deep […]

Colombia

New Atlanticist

Nov 10, 2015

Renegotiate TPP? Fuggedaboutit

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Obama administration rules out reopening trade deal with eleven Pacific Rim nations The Obama administration will not renegotiate a trade deal it spent more than five years negotiating with eleven other Pacific Rim countries, a White House official said on Nov. 10. “Renegotiation is just not an option because if you open up the issues, […]

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

Event Recap

Nov 5, 2015

What’s Next for Mexico’s Electricity Sector?

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Mexico’s energy reforms will have major effects on power generation and electricity markets. Getting the electricity sector right is the key to increased manufacturing and productivity. As part of the Atlantic Council’s ongoing work tracking Mexico’s energy reform, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and Global Energy Center held a conference call on Thursday, November 5, with two […]

Event Recap

Oct 28, 2015

The Road Ahead for TPP

By Roberta Braga

Weeks after the historical completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, Global Business and Economics Program, and Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security hosted United States Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman and Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel in their first public TPP-focused event in Washington, DC.

Load More