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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

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2015

Next on the US-Cuba Horizon

By Jason Marczak

Since December 17, 2014, seismic changes in US-Cuba relations have reshaped the landscape of each country’s interactions with Latin America and the global community. Despite much optimism, there is still a long road ahead for Cuba’s languishing economy, which needs to grow its nascent private sector and attract greater foreign investment. As much of the […]

Cuba

In the News

Sep 5, 2015

Munoz on Guatemala’s Upcoming Presidential Election

By Carmen Muñoz

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Program Assistant Carmen Muñoz joins CCTV America to discuss the Guatemalan election amidst upheaval and protests: 

Central America

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2015

Instability in Guatemala Has National Security Implications for the United States

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council analysts predict period of uncertainty after President’s surprise resignation Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina’s surprise resignation on September 3 in the face of corruption allegations will likely plunge the Central American nation into a period of further political as well as economic uncertainty with direct implications for US national security, said the Atlantic […]

Central America

In the News

Aug 14, 2015

Schechter on Unique Cuban-American Relationship

By Peter Schechter

The Miami Herald quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin American Center Director Peter Schechter on the unique foreign policy relationship between the United States and Cuba: 

Cuba

In the News

Aug 14, 2015

Marczak on Complicated US-Cuban Relations

By Jason Marczak

US News and World Report quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on why despite the reopening of the US embassy in Cuba, much diplomatic work remains before relations will be completely normalized:

Cuba

New Atlanticist

Aug 13, 2015

Of Rights and Wrongs in Cuba

By Ashish Kumar Sen

United States must continue to press Castro government on human rights, says Atlantic Council’s Peter Schechter The Obama administration must use the new opening in its relationship with Cuba to continue to press the government in Havana to respect human rights, says the Atlantic Council’s Peter Schechter. Cuban dissidents were conspicuous by their absence from […]

Cuba

In the News

Aug 12, 2015

Schechter on the Politics of the US-Cuba Relationship

By Peter Schechter

The Miami Herald quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Director Peter Schechter on how US politics could affect the future of US-Cuba relations on everything from an ambassador to trade relations:

Cuba

Article

Aug 10, 2015

Social Entrepreneurship in the Americas

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, Ashoka, and The Skoll Foundation

Read the Spotlight Online (PDF) Can Latin America maintain the momentum of the past decade’s social transformations? The answer will depend on its ability to adopt innovative solutions to advance social progress. Considered the third arm of development by the World Bank, social entrepreneurship in Latin America has expanded dramatically in the past two decades […]

In the News

Jul 31, 2015

Schechter and DeLevie-Orey: What’s Next in Havana

By Peter Schechter and Rachel DeLevie-Orey

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Director Peter Schechter and Assistant Director Rachel DeLevie-Orey write for The Hill, featuring an Atlantic Council report, Cuba’s Economic Reintegration, in a discussion on the importance of international financial institutions with regard to Cuba’s economic growth: 

Cuba

In the News

Jul 31, 2015

Marczak on Foreign Investors in Venezuela

By Jason Marczak

Market Watch quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on the difficulties facing foreign investors wishing to remove their business from Venezuela: 

Venezuela
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