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

Dispatches Mar 24, 2026

Will Trump focus on Nicaragua next after Venezuela and Cuba?

By María Fernanda Bozmoski

If it wants to help foster a more economically integrated Central America, the United States will need to address Nicaragua’s authoritarianism and transnational repression.
Central America Democratic Transitions
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Issue Brief Feb 27, 2026

One month in, can Honduras’ new president put the country on the path to lasting economic gains?

By María Fernanda Bozmoski, Isabella Palacios

President Nasry Asfura’s early reforms have signaled a focus on fiscal austerity and competitiveness, sending positive messages to investors and to President Donald Trump, who backed him during the campaign. Sustaining this momentum will require significant structural reforms.
Americas Central America
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Dispatches Feb 23, 2026

Why Colombia’s veterans are going to war in Ukraine

By Erin K. McFee

A lack of economic opportunities and pathways to reintegration is leading Colombian veterans to fight for Ukraine.
Colombia Conflict

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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

LatAmSource

Feb 3, 2014

Student Graduation in Latin America: Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

By Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

It is likely not a surprise to most experts that education quality in rural Latin America lags far behind the region’s urban areas. Even though robust growth over the past decade has been fundamentally based on the commodities sector — oil, gas, copper, gold, soybeans and others — there has been little impact on education […]

Article

Jan 31, 2014

Spotlight Brazil

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

What Will be the Legacy of the 2014 World Cup for Brazil? From June 12 to July 13, Brazil will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup across twelve cities. During the tournament an estimated 600,000 foreign visitors and 3 million Brazilians are expected to travel across the country of more than 200 million people. Over […]

Brazil

LatAmSource

Jan 31, 2014

Urban Innovation at Home and Abroad

By Adrienne Arsht Latin American Center & Strategic Foresight Initiative

More than half the world’s population lives in cities and this number continues to grow. The rural-to-urban transformation creates challenges and opportunities for humankind. Please join the Atlantic Council, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, UN-Habitat, and other partners on February 4, 2014 for the Washington, DC launch of a national series leading […]

LatAmSource

Jan 30, 2014

From Outlaws to Law Enforcers: Mexico’s Vigilantes Legitimized

By Victor Salcedo

Since January 13, Michoacán has been the most pressing national issue for President Enrique Peña Nieto, and the most talked about problem for the international media. The autodefensas group- commonly known as vigilantes- within the state created strong momentum in favor of fighting and eradicating the control that the powerful drug cartel, the Knights Templar, […]

Mexico

In the News

Jan 29, 2014

Marczak on Mexican Vigilante Groups

By Jason Marczak

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak is quoted by Fox News Latino on the Mexican government’s attempts to deal with armed vigilante groups:

Mexico

LatAmSource

Jan 24, 2014

Uncharted Waters: Chile, Peru, and the ICJ

By Thomas Corrigan

Next week brings an important moment for Latin American maritime border relations and transnational cooperation. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to announce on Monday, January 27 its decision in the dispute between Peru and Chile involving nearly 40,000 square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of the continent. Not […]

LatAmSource

Jan 23, 2014

Violence in Venezuela: Marczak on VOA

Deputy Director Jason Marczak appeared on VOA to discuss the recent increase in violence in Venezuela. Marczak identifies the relationship between economic turmoil, institutional instability, and the people’s need to seek violent solutions to the plagues of injustice and shortages of basic goods.

Venezuela

LatAmSource

Jan 21, 2014

When it Comes to Education Reform, What Do Parents and Students Want?

By Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

Over the past several years, a number of new players have been getting involved in the push for education reforms to increase school quality in Latin America. This includes civil society groups, Non-Governmental Organizations, the private sector, and –increasingly – parents and students.

LatAmSource

Jan 7, 2014

The Debate Over the Role of Private Enterprise in Education

By Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

This year, the Thunderbird School of Global Management, based in Glendale, Arizona, became the subject of a long and intense debate after it announced a controversial joint venture with for-profit education services company Laureate, which owns 72 colleges around the world. In the deal, Laureate would gain control over Thunderbird’s online programs, as well as […]

Event Recap

Dec 19, 2013

A Closer Look at What Mexico’s Landmark Energy Reform Will Mean

Mexico is poised to expand its oil production so dramatically that it may become one of the world’s most strategically important oil exporters within the next decade, US analysts and a top Mexican official told a conference at the Atlantic Council. Mexico’s decision this year to end the 75-year monopoly of the state-owned company PEMEX, […]

Energy & Environment Mexico
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