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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

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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

Webcasts

Sep 29, 2015

Sizing up Colombia’s Transformations Ahead of Regional Elections

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Join the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at an event with business and political leaders with their hands on the pulse of the country and where it is going. This event comes days before the Atlantic Council honors President Juan Manuel Santos with its Global Citizen Award. It will also preview our forthcoming […]

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2015

Colombian President Santos’ Quest for Peace

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award recipient shunned popularity in bid for peace with leftist guerrillas The Atlantic Council will honor Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos with its Global Citizen Award in New York on October 1 in recognition of his unwavering commitment to make peace with leftist guerrillas and end Latin America’s longest-running war. Santos […]

Colombia

In the News

Sep 26, 2015

Marczak on the Pope in Cuba

By Jason Marczak

The Miami Herald quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on the role of the Catholic Church and Pope Francis’ visit in Cuba:

Cuba

New Atlanticist

Sep 25, 2015

Colombia’s Peace Negotiations: Keeping the Focus on Transitional Justice

By Andrea Saldarriaga Jiménez

A pledge by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Rodrigo Londoño (better known by the nom de guerre Timochenko), the leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP), at their historic meeting in Havana on September 23 to end Latin America’s longest-running conflict within six months has raised expectations for peace. But while […]

Colombia

Webcasts

Sep 24, 2015

Democracy Rebooted: The Future of Technology in Elections with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Republic of Estonia

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

On September 24, Stanford’s Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law in partnership with The Atlantic Council will present a public address by President Toomas Ilves of Estonia on the future of technology in elections. Elections are set to take center stage in the coming year, in this country and abroad. As technology […]

Event Recap

Sep 22, 2015

China’s Growing Latin America Presence: The State of Play Ahead of President Xi’s US Visit

By Oriana Piña

In September 2015, Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, will make his first official visit to Washington, D.C. As one of the most anticipated meetings between the United States and China, the agenda will surely include pertinent negotiations on solutions to bilateral and global issues, such as cybersecurity and climate change. One […]

China

In the News

Sep 18, 2015

Schechter on Commercial Relations Between the United States and Cuba

By Peter Schechter

The Los Angeles Times quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Director Peter Schechter on the US-Cuba diplomatic and economic opening:

Cuba

In the News

Sep 18, 2015

Marczak on US Investments in Cuba

By Jason Marczak

The Sun Sentinel quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on the complications that remain for US companies looking to invest in Cuba:

Cuba

Report

Sep 16, 2015

China’s evolving role in Latin America: Can it Be a win-win?

By Enrique Dussel Peters

Weeks before Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President Barack Obama in Washington, the Atlantic Council’s Latin America Center launched a new report that unravels the complexities of the Latin America-China relationship. Titled China’s Evolving Role in Latin America: Can it Be a Win-Win?, the report provides five recommendations to help both China and Latin […]

China

Webcasts

Sep 16, 2015

China’s Growing Latin America Presence: The State of Play Ahead of President Xi’s US Visit

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Join the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center for the launch of China’s Evolving Role in Latin America: Can it Be a Win-Win?. Atlantic Council author and renowned Mexico-based China-Latin America expert Enrique Dussel Peters provides a state of play of China’s relationship with the region with a focus on Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, […]

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