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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

Report

Dec 20, 2023

The future of clean energy in the Americas

By Wazim Mowla, Diego Area

LAC countries are facing major challenges in their ability to develop renewable energy projects, expand low-emission energy systems, and fill existing technical and financing gaps that hinder regional energy security. A key takeaway to come out of the Summit Implementation Roundtable was that the US-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030) has the potential to advance clean energy goals in the Caribbean and become a blueprint to address similar challenges in Latin America.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2023

The Atlantic Council’s greatest hits of 2023

By Frederick Kempe

Here's the best of our efforts to further our mission to shape the global future together with allies and partners in 2023.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Press Release

Dec 15, 2023

Atlantic Council announces formation of Nearshoring Working Group to advance commercial integration with Central America and Mexico 

On the heels of growing interest in relocating supply chains to the Americas, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center (AALAC) convened the inaugural meeting of its Nearshoring Working Group—a nonpartisan, multisectoral group of policy professionals representing the United States and seven additional countries who will help translate nearshoring from rhetoric into reality, with a focus on Central America and Mexico.

Guatemala's Foreign Minister Mario Adolfo Bucaro Flores, Paraguay's President Mario Abdo Benitez, Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso, Costa Rica President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, El Salvador's Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco, Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader and Suriname's President Chandrikapersad Santokhi react as they take part in the EU-LAC Digital alliance photo op ceremony, during the summit in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Johanna Geron

Issue Brief

Dec 12, 2023

Galvanizing Spain’s presidency for the next chapter

By Ignacia Ulloa Peters, Diego Area, Felipe Félix Méndez

Spain’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2023 was a unique opportunity to deepen partnerships between the Euro-Americas. Through shared values, common interests, and complementary capabilities, the EU, US, and LAC have the potential to advance lasting solutions to the most pressing challenges facing these regions and the world.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

In the News

Dec 11, 2023

Marczak joins NBC News to discuss Milei’s new “shock measures” in Argentina

By Atlantic Council

More about our expert

English Latin America

New Atlanticist

Dec 8, 2023

What the Global South needs for a just energy transition

By Katherine Golden

Achieving a just energy transition for the Global South may require a complete reversal in the way the world has operated for centuries.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

In the News

Dec 6, 2023

Ramsey quoted in New York Times on Venezuela sanctions relief

By Atlantic Council

More about our expert

English Latin America

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2023

Milei is backing away from his radical dollarization idea. What options does Argentina have? 

By Martin Mühleisen

The incoming president’s campaign pledge to move Argentina to the US dollar seems less and less likely in the near term.

Argentina Economy & Business

Report

Nov 30, 2023

Advancing US-Colombia cooperation on drug policy and law enforcement

By Atlantic Council US-Colombia Advisory Group

Consumption and price of the drug has remained stable in the United States in recent years. However, the current trend of falling coca leaf and cocaine prices in Colombia present a natural incentive for coca growers to find alternative forms of income, which could mean a higher rate of success for alternative development programs.

Civil Society Colombia

Fast Thinking

Nov 20, 2023

The economic aftershocks from Milei’s win in Argentina

By Atlantic Council

Argentina’s economy is due for radical change from the Peronist status quo as libertarian TV personality Javier Milei is set to become the country’s next president.

Americas Argentina
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