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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

LatAmSource

Aug 11, 2014

Brazil’s Lasting World Cup Legacy

By Ambassador Mauro Vieira

In the run-up to the FIFA World Cup, Brazil had to endure a spate of negative reporting and doomsday-style predictions about its capacity to deliver a successful tournament.  Moreover, articles on perceived failures in the preparation for the event stretched the pessimism even further, to the point of questioning the World Cup legacy in the […]

Brazil

In the News

Aug 7, 2014

Goldwyn: United States Must Revise Policy on Petrocaribe Alliance

By David Goldwyn

Adrienne Arsht Center Nonresident Senior Fellow David Goldwyn cowrites for the Houston Chronicle on the Petrocaribe energy alliance:

Venezuela

LatAmSource

Aug 4, 2014

Why We Need a New Alliance Between Workers and Employers

By Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

“Identity, not ideology, is moving the world.” So argued commentator Fareed Zakaria in a recent Washington Post column. Zakaria was referring to political identities, and the fading affiliations citizens have for traditional political groupings like parties, unions, or civic associations. A parallel can be drawn here to the modern workforce. With an increasing volatile economy, […]

Congressional Relations

Aug 1, 2014

Marczak and Workman: TPA Critical for US Leadership in the Pacific

By Jason Marczak, Garrett Workman

Adrienne Arsht Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak and Global Business and Economics Program Associate Director Garrett Workman cowrite for the Hill on why the passage of trade promotion authority is critical to ensuring US leadership in the Pacific:

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

Press Release

Jul 31, 2014

Argentina Defaults: Atlantic Council Experts Comment

By Atlantic Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Argentina failed to meet its deadline for interest payments on $13 billion of securities bonds due in 2033, resulting in the country’s second default since 2001. Reaction from Atlantic Council experts: “Nearly a decade ago, Argentina and 93 percent of its bondholders agreed to a deal that Argentina has so far respected. […]

In the News

Jul 31, 2014

Schechter and Marczak: US Action Needed to Prevent Regional Energy Crisis

By Peter Schechter, Jason Marczak

Adrienne Arsht Center Director Peter Schechter and Deputy Director Jason Marczak cowrite for CNN Global Public Square on what must be done to prevent a regional energy crisis in Central America and the Caribbean: 

Central America

Global Trade And The Americas

Jul 30, 2014

A Twenty-First-Century Trade Agreement: Who Could Benefit?

By The Atlantic Council

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) began in 2004 as an inter-regional effort by four countries on the Pacific Rim to liberalize trade and investment. Ten years later it has grown to twelve member countries that represent 40 percent of global GDP, 26 percent of global trade, and 40 percent of US trade. It is the first […]

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

In the News

Jul 29, 2014

Marczak on Petrocaribe

By Jason Marczak

The Tico Times quotes Adrienne Arsht Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on the Venezuelan oil financing program Petrocaribe:

Venezuela

LatAmSource

Jul 28, 2014

A Nicaraguan Canal: Too Many Downfalls

By Constance Delannoy

The Nicaraguan government recently released its plan to build a Nicaraguan canal as an alternative to the Panama Canal. The project is taken on by a Hong Kong-based company, the HKND Group, created solely for this purpose and guaranteed majority ownership of the Canal for the next 50 years. At this point the Nicaraguan government […]

Central America Economy & Business

In the News

Jul 28, 2014

Caracas Chronicles: Is There a Link Between Petrocaribe and Carvajal?

By Atlantic Council

The Caracas Chronicles cites a new Atlantic Council report, Uncertain Energy: The Carribbean’s Gamble with Venezuela:

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