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Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center broadens understanding of regional transformations while demonstrating the significance of Latin America and the Caribbean in a rapidly changing world.

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Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Issue Brief Aug 20, 2026

A Colombia-Venezuela agenda for recovery, security, and economic growth

By the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

The recent earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia have created urgent humanitarian needs that will require sustained international support. As recovery advances, the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition outlines how both countries, with US support, can build a cooperation agenda.
Colombia Economy & Business
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Dispatches Aug 12, 2026

A deadly earthquake gives Colombia’s new president his first test

By Jason Marczak

After the earthquake, de la Espriella must demonstrate firm leadership and his commitment to making the state work in the regions.
Colombia Elections
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Dispatches Aug 7, 2026

Abelardo de la Espriella takes office in Colombia with a head start in Washington

By Jason Marczak

The new Colombian president and his US counterpart should seize the opportunity to reset the long-term bilateral relationship.
Colombia Economy & Business

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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

Following the US removal of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela stands at a pivotal moment after years of economic mismanagement, cronyism, and democratic erosion. AALAC is seizing this moment to usher in a Venezuela where people overcome economic paralysis, live without fear of the state, and freely choose their leaders.

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 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, […]

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
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