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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

Issue Brief Aug 20, 2026

A Colombia-Venezuela agenda for recovery, security, and economic growth

By the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

The recent earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia have created urgent humanitarian needs that will require sustained international support. As recovery advances, the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition outlines how both countries, with US support, can build a cooperation agenda.
Colombia Economy & Business
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Dispatches Aug 12, 2026

A deadly earthquake gives Colombia’s new president his first test

By Jason Marczak

After the earthquake, de la Espriella must demonstrate firm leadership and his commitment to making the state work in the regions.
Colombia Elections
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Dispatches Aug 7, 2026

Abelardo de la Espriella takes office in Colombia with a head start in Washington

By Jason Marczak

The new Colombian president and his US counterpart should seize the opportunity to reset the long-term bilateral relationship.
Colombia Economy & Business

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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

Event Recap

Feb 7, 2014

Mexico’s Energy Reform: What’s Next for Business?

If Mexico’s energy reform succeeds, Mexico will evolve from a major supplier of oil to strategic global supplier in the next decade, David Goldwyn—the State Department’s former special envoy and coordinator for international energy affairs—told a conference of energy executives in Houston, Texas. The Mexican Congress moved into phase two of energy reform in February […]

Mexico

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2014

What’s Next for US-Cuba Relations?

US-Cuba relations have been at a stalemate for decades, but a recent poll shows Americans — especially those who have traveled to Cuba — want closer ties with the island. On February 11, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Latin America Center will release the first national poll that centers solely on Americans’ attitudes toward US-Cuba relations. […]

Cuba

Article

Feb 5, 2014

Urbanization in Latin America

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Cities are global leaders whose innovative policies are increasingly transcending boundaries to shape domestic and international trends. The relative power of cities to influence the global agenda will only increase in the coming decades. More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas; by 2050, 70 percent, or more than six billion people, […]

Latin America

Event Recap

Feb 4, 2014

On the Road To Medellín: Urban Innovation at Home and Abroad

Cities are at the forefront of global leadership. Not only are cities where all global trends—such as increased diffusion of power, individual empowerment, and the complex interplay of the food-water-energy nexus—come together, but local governments and their partners are already addressing this century’s great global challenges and finding innovative solutions.

Webcasts

Feb 4, 2014

Webcast: Urban Innovation at Home and Abroad

Be a part of the conversation by tweeting #ACUrbanFollow @ACForesight and @ACLatAm for updates Please join the Atlantic Council, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Next City, and other partners on February 4, 2014 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. for the launch of a national series leading up to World Urban Forum 7 […]

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
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