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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

In the News

Jul 16, 2015

Miami Herald Features AC Report on Cuba’s Economic Reintegration

By Atlantic Council

The Miami Herald features the Atlantic Council report, Cuba’s Economic Reintegration, in a discussion of the steps necessary to achieve Cuba’s potential reintegration with the world economy:

Cuba

Event Recap

Jul 16, 2015

Cuba’s Economic Reintegration: Is the Time Now?

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Since the breakdown of US-Cuban relations in the early 1960s, Cuba has experienced a self- and externally-imposed isolation from US-led global financial markets. While the socialist Cuban economy was able to sustain itself on foreign assistance from the Soviet Union during the Cold War, the economic hardships of the post-Soviet period have necessitated dramatic reforms […]

Cuba

In the News

Jul 15, 2015

NBC Features AC Report Launch

By Atlantic Council

NBC News quotes former US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez from an Atlantic Council report launch on the need to support Cuban small businesses:

Cuba

Press Release

Jul 14, 2015

Atlantic Council Report Calls for Cuba’s Economic Reintegration

By Atlantic Council

Days before the opening of the US Embassy in Havana, the Atlantic Council’s Latin America Center launched a new report today that provides a ten point roadmap for Cuba’s reintegration into the global economy.  Key to the success of this effort will be to push for a reengagement between Cuba and the international financial institutions […]

Cuba

Webcasts

Jul 14, 2015

Cuba’s Economic Reintegration: Is the Time Now?

Please join us on July 14, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. for the launch of a report written by Cuban economist Pavel Vidal and former IMF Mission Chief for Albania Scott Brown on Cuba’s reintegration into international financial institutions.

Cuba

Report

Jul 14, 2015

Cuba’s economic reintegration: Begin with the international financial institutions

By Pavel Vidal and Scott Brown

Cuba’s Economic Reintegration: Begin with the International Financial Institutions is the first major policy publication on Cuba’s role in the global economic community since the December announcement of new policies toward Cuba. The team of authors include Cuban economist Pavel Vidal and former Senior IMF Economist Scott Brown, a former mission chief for Albania. Beyond […]

Cuba

In the News

Jul 13, 2015

Marczak on the Pope’s Visit to Latin America

By Jason Marczak

The Miami Herald quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on the objectives of Pope Francis’ recent visit to Latin America:

Latin America

New Atlanticist

Jul 2, 2015

Dilma’s Visit Injects New Vigor into US-Brazil Relations

By Larry Luxner

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has wrapped up her historic visit to the United States and is heading back home, where a shrinking economy and a growing corruption scandal at state-owned oil giant Petrobras have made her deeply unpopular among Brazilians. In fact, it’s that scandal—not the one involving spying by the National Security Agency two […]

Brazil

In the News

Jul 2, 2015

DeLevie-Orey on US-Cuba Relations

By Rachel DeLevie-Orey

Euronews quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Assistant Director Rachel DeLevie-Orey on the United States and Cuba normalizing diplomatic relations:

Cuba United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2015

Making History, Obama Announces Opening of US Embassy in Havana

By Larry Luxner

On July 20, the Stars and Stripes will rise over a US Embassy in Havana for the first time in fifty-four years—and the Cuban flag will flutter over the newly reconstituted Cuban Embassy in Washington. If all goes according to plan, US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Havana to witness the historic event. […]

Cuba
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