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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

Event Recap

Nov 6, 2014

Brazil’s Presidential Elections: What Will Dilma’s Next Four Years Look Like?

On October 28th, 2014, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center in partnership with the Inter-American Dialogue brought together a dynamic panel to explore Brazil’s road ahead, including John Prideaux, The Economist’s Washington correspondent and former Brazil bureau chief from 2007-2010; Andrew Gunther, managing director of infrastructure for Darby Overseas Investments; Ricardo Sennes, nonresident senior Brazil […]

Brazil

Article

Oct 30, 2014

Spotlight Cuba

By Rachel DeLevie-Orey

How would both the United States and Cuba attending the Summit of the Americas impact their relationship? Download (PDF) For the past two decades, the Summit of the Americas has convened the western hemisphere’s heads of state without the participation of Cuba. That is likely about to change. In April 2015, Panama will host the […]

Cuba

In the News

Oct 28, 2014

Sennes on Reelection of President Rousseff

By Ricardo Sennes

The Financial Times quotes Adrienne Arsht Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ricardo Sennes on the reelection of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff:

Brazil

Webcasts

Oct 28, 2014

Brazil’s Presidential Election: Interpreting the Results

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council on October 28, 2014 hosted a discussion on Brazil’s presidential election.  Watch the event here. 

Brazil

New Atlanticist

Oct 28, 2014

Can Dilma Rousseff Rebuild Broader Political Alliances for Her Second Term?

By New Atlanticist

That Is the Path She Should Take, for Herself and for Brazil, Atlantic Council’s Sennes Says Having barely won re-election in Brazil’s tightest presidential election in a quarter-century, Dilma Rousseff faces several key tasks if she is to govern effectively in her new four-year term, writes the Atlantic Council’s nonresident senior fellow in Brazil, Ricardo […]

Brazil Latin America

In the News

Oct 27, 2014

Sennes on the “Uphill Battle” Facing President Rousseff

By Ricardo Sennes

The Wall Street Journal quotes Adrienne Arsht Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ricardo Sennes on the challenges facing newly reelected Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff:

Brazil

Article

Oct 27, 2014

Brazil’s Presidential Runoff

By Ricardo Sennes

What Does Dilma Rousseff’s Victory Mean for Brazil’s Future? Brazil’s 2014 presidential election was the tightest race since the 1989 contest between Fernando Collor de Mello and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. President Dilma Rousseff of the Workers’ Party (PT) and Governor Aécio Neves of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) had polled neck-and-neck throughout the […]

Latin America

In the News

Oct 24, 2014

Alhonte on Elections in Brazil

By Natalie Alhonte

Adrienne Arsht Center Associate Director Natalie Alhonte joins CCTV to discuss Brazil’s presidential elections:

Brazil

In the News

Oct 22, 2014

Schechter on Brazilian Presidential Elections

By Peter Schechter

Bloomberg quotes Adrienne Arsht Center Director Peter Schechter on what a win by Brazilian presidential candidate Aecio Neves would mean for the country: 

Brazil

In the News

Oct 17, 2014

Schechter on Argentina’s Debt Crisis

By Peter Schechter

Adrienne Arsht Center Director Peter Schechter joins Latin Pulse to discuss the debt crisis in Argentina: 

Latin America
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