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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

From left to right: Jason Marczak, Deputy Director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, moderates a June 19 discussion about US-Brazil relations with Roberta Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs; Benoni Belli, Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Brazil; Steve Long, Vice President and Latin America General Manager at Intel Corp., and Ricardo Sennes, Nonresident Senior Brazil Fellow at the center. Photo: Larry Luxner

New Atlanticist

Jun 19, 2015

Jacobson: Rousseff Visit ‘Critical’ for US-Brazil Relations

By Larry Luxner

With less than two weeks to go before Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s June 30 trip to Washington, the State Department’s top Latin America official says she’s optimistic the long-delayed visit will mark “the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship.” Roberta Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, spoke June 19 at […]

Brazil

Webcasts

Jun 19, 2015

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

Please join the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and the Brazil-US Business Council on June 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for a preview of the visit with top decision-makers in the bilateral agenda. The Arsht Center will launch its latest Brazil report, US-Brazil Relations: A New Beginning? How to Strengthen the […]

Brazil
Brazilian and US flags fly outside the InterContinental Hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Photo by Larry Luxner.

New Atlanticist

Jun 19, 2015

US-Brazil Relations: Time for a Reset?

On June 30, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff will visit the United States, nearly two years after she cancelled a planned trip to Washington in the wake of revelations by Edward Snowden that the US National Security Agency was monitoring her phone calls and emails. Peter Schechter, Director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America […]

Brazil Cuba

New Atlanticist

Jun 15, 2015

Despite Stinging Setback, Controversial Trade Bill Not Dead Yet

Atlantic Council’s Jason Marczak sees chance TPA may still squeak through Congress With the House of Representatives set to hold a do-over vote by June 16 on a worker retraining program – the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) – whose defeat has stalled US President Barack Obama’s entire free-trade agenda, there’s a glimmer of hope that […]

Economy & Business Indo-Pacific

Article

Jun 15, 2015

Spotlight: President Rousseff’s US Visit

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

After a period of Brazil’s necessary distancing from the United States in the wake of the National Security Agency spying scandal in 2013, both countries are ready to reengage. The June 30 meeting between Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and US President Barack Obama comes amid much change—both in Brazil itself and in the United States’ […]

Latin America

New Atlanticist

Jun 10, 2015

At Last, Some Good News for Mexico’s Peña Nieto

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Strengthening of ruling coalition in midterm elections will boost President’s reform agenda, says Atlantic Council’s Schechter Mexico’s June 7 mid-term elections, which unexpectedly strengthened the ruling coalition’s majority in the lower house of Congress, will boost President Enrique Peña Nieto’s efforts to reform the Mexican economy, predicts the Atlantic Council’s Peter Schechter. “The election result […]

Mexico

In the News

May 29, 2015

Marczak on Cuba’s Removal from US State Sponsor of Terrorism List

By Jason Marczak

The Wall Street Journal quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on Cuba’s removal from the US state sponsor of terrorism list and the reestablishment of ties between the United States and Cuba:

Cuba

News

May 29, 2015

Marczak on US-Cuba Relations

By Jason Marczak

Spanish-language El Tiempo interviews Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on the status of negotiations between the United States and Cuba to normalize relations:

Cuba

News

May 29, 2015

Marczak on the Normalization of Relations between the United States and Cuba

By Jason Marczak

Spanish-language El Espectador quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on the importance of removing Cuba from the US state sponsors of terrorism list for normalizing relations between the two countries:

Cuba

In the News

May 29, 2015

Marczak on Cuba and the State Sponsors of Terrorism List

By Jason Marczak

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak joins Al Jazeera to discuss Cuba and the State Sponsors of Terrorism list:

Cuba
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