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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

In the News

Jun 3, 2014

Alhonte on Colombian Elections

By Natalie Alhonte

Adrienne Arsht Center Associate Director Natalie Alhonte joins CCTV to discuss the Colombian elections:

Colombia

In the News

May 28, 2014

Report on Latin American Trade Policy Referenced

In a Bloomberg.com article examining differences among Latin American economies, a report from the Adrienne Arsht Latin American Center and the Global Business & Economics Program, “Global Trade Policy: Made in Latin America?” was cited:

Latin America

LatAmSource

May 28, 2014

Scaling Up Education: Finding New Financing Methods

By Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

Despite the economic troubles that have upended many of the world’s developing countries in the past decade, foreign development aid is on the rise. The OECD estimates that in 2013, aid from Development Assistance Countries rose 6.1 percent to reach an all time high. However, one aspect that continues to get short shrift is education. As […]

Event Recap

May 28, 2014

How Social Entrepreneurship is Transforming Colombian Education

Social entrepreneurship, by essence, is local. Many of the world’s biggest challenges require specific, local antidotes to maladies that affect communities across the globe. In Latin America, a new class of social entrepreneurs are matching their skills to common societal needs and creating positive, long-lasting, and concrete results.  

Colombia Latin America

Article

May 28, 2014

Global Trade Policy: Made in Latin America?

By Peter Rashish

The policy brief lays out nine recommendations that policymakers can take to ensure that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) contribute to a broader level of international economic cooperation and sustainable growth. It is the first publication of the Atlantic Council’s new Global Trade and the Americas initiative, which […]

Americas Economy & Business

Press Release

May 27, 2014

Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Announces New Fellow for Brazil

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT AJ Ross, aross@AtlanticCouncil.org 202.864.2829 The Atlantic Council is pleased to announce Ricardo Sennes, one of the world’s leading experts on Brazil, as a new nonresident senior Brazil fellow at the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. Sennes offers comprehensive analysis on the new Brazil, as well as the country’s strategic position within global […]

Brazil

LatAmSource

May 27, 2014

What is going on in Brazil?

Less than a month before the World Cup begins two pillars of society critical to hosting a successful World Cup have initiated a strike: police and public transit officials. The bus strike in Brazil’s largest city began on Tuesday and at least 300,000 commuters have been affected. Traffic was reported to stretch 162 miles on […]

Brazil

In the News

May 26, 2014

Marczak on Colombian Elections

By Jason Marczak

CCTV America speaks with Jason Marczak, deputy director of Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council on the Colombian presidential elections and the challenges facing the incoming leader:

Colombia

Event Recap

May 22, 2014

Atlantic Council Launches Global Trade and the Americas Initiative

On May 22, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, together with the Global Business and Economics Program, launched the Global Trade and the Americas initiative with a conversation focused on global trade negotiations and prospects for deepening US and European commercial engagement with Latin America at a private, off the record roundtable in the midst […]

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

In the News

May 21, 2014

Marczak on Sanctions Against Venezuela

By Jason Marczak

NBC News quotes Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak on whether the United States should advance sanctions against Venezuela:

Venezuela
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