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

In the News

Jun 26, 2015

Goldwyn: Don’t sell off the SPR

By David L. Goldwyn

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Nonresident Senior Fellow David L. Goldwyn writes for The Hill about why the United States should not sell off the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), despite strong domestic oil production:

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Jun 26, 2015

Marczak on Venezuela’s Female Electoral Mandate

By Jason Marczak

The Miami Herald quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on the Venezuelan National Electoral Council’s announcement that at least 40 percent of a party’s candidates must be women, and how this announcement has thrown the opposition into chaos: 

Elections Politics & Diplomacy
Chilean Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdés; Singapore AmbassadorAshok Kumar Mirpuri; Kanji Yamanouchi, Minister for Economic Affairs at the Japanese Embassy; and Peruvian Ambassador Luís Miguel Castilla participate in the Atlantic Council’s June 23 panel discussion on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

New Atlanticist

Jun 25, 2015

Asian, Latin American Diplomats Debate TPP as Trade Bill Advances in Congress

With US lawmakers on the verge of granting the White House fast-track authority to negotiate complex free-trade accords, diplomats representing four of Washington’s eleven allies in the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership—Chile, Japan, Peru, and Singapore—gathered June 23 at the Atlantic Council to discuss TPP’s implications. The event, sponsored by the council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, […]

Economy & Business Japan

Event Recap

Jun 24, 2015

Unlocking the Trans-Pacific Partnership: Views from Both Sides of the Pacific

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and Global Business and Economics Program

President Barack Obama announced in November 2009 the United States’ intention to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The TPP came to include twelve countries, and to represent roughly 40 percent of the world’s GDP. On June 23, 2015 – just minutes before this event – the US Senate voted to end debate on […]

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

In the News

Jun 24, 2015

Sydney Morning Herald Features Atlantic Council TPP Event

By Atlantic Council

The Sydney Morning Herald features the Atlantic Council event Unlocking the Trans-Pacific Partnership in an article defending the agreement in light of the debate over President Obama’s fast-track authority to finalize negotiations:

In the News

Jun 24, 2015

Canadian Manufacturing Highlights TPP Event

By Atlantic Council

Canadian Manufacturing highlights the Atlantic Council event Unlocking the Trans-Pacific Partnership: Views from Both Sides of the Pacific in article about countries preparing serious offers in the final stages of TPP negotiations:

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

Webcasts

Jun 23, 2015

Unlocking the Trans-Pacific Partnership: Views from Both Sides of the Pacific

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and Global Business and Economics Program

Please join the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and Global Business and Economics Program on June 23, 2015 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a discussion with Latin American and Asian ambassadors representing key countries in the TPP negotiations. Each will share their unique insight on the potential opportunities—and pitfalls to be […]

Event Recap

Jun 22, 2015

President Rousseff’s Visit: Photo-Op or a New Era for the US and Brazil?

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

After 18 months of tension following the revelation of a US surveillance program directed at the Brazilian government, President Dilma Rousseff’s upcoming visit to Washington on June 30 marks an important shift toward reengagement for the United States and Brazil. The Presidents are expected to speak about a wide range of political and economic issues, from Venezuela and Haiti […]

Brazil

Press Release

Jun 19, 2015

Atlantic Council Releases New Report on US-Brazil Relationship Ahead of Brazilian President’s Historic June 30 Visit to United States

US President Barack Obama and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff must move beyond the usual modestly targeted working groups to outline an ambitious path forward based on a common political and economic agenda, says a new Atlantic Council report that launched today.  The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center’s report, titled US-Brazil Relations: A New […]

Brazil

Report

Jun 19, 2015

US-Brazil relations: A new beginning? How to strengthen the bilateral agenda

By Ricardo Sennes

What should be on the agenda when President Rousseff comes to Washington on June 30? A new Atlantic Council report launched today calls on the two Presidents to move beyond the usual working groups and outline an ambitious path forward. The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center’s report, titled US-Brazil Relations: A New Beginning? How to […]

Brazil
Load More