Regions in focus
Brazil
Since the turn of the century, reforms in Brazil have lifted nearly thirty million citizens out of poverty and targeted social inequality. A champion of regional growth and an influential actor in world politics, Brazil’s future is tied to continued efforts to revitalize its economy and its role on the global stage.
Colombia
Colombia and the United States have consolidated a close and mutually-beneficial partnership over the past twenty years. Plan Colombia, a bipartisan foreign policy success, laid the foundation for a strategic alliance that has widened to include sustainable development, trade, hemispheric security, and human rights. Today, Colombia is positioning itself as a leader in the region and the world.
Cuba
Since Fidel Castro rose to power six decades ago, US-Cuba relations have been characterized by persistent distrust. A brief period of reprieve, which saw restrictions levied against Cuba relaxed, dissipated as criticism of Cuba’s human rights record and its ties to Nicaragua and Venezuela reemerged. The island nation situated ninety miles south of Florida is poised to remain a critical challenge for the region.
Mexico
Mexico is the United States’ number one trading partner in 2019. The relationship is special. Although ties between the two countries are solid, our partnership today faces important challenges, including rapidly changing political landscapes, shifting economic winds, shared security threats, and a migration crisis extending from Central America.
Northern Triangle
An unprecedented wave of irregular migration in Central America has brought renewed US and international attention on the Northern Triangle countries – Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Rampant corruption, violence, and lack of economic opportunities have forced thousands to flee in search of a better future. As a new political landscape emerges in the region, the challenge remains: improving the living conditions for citizens. US support is critical to address that challenge.
Venezuela
Once a thriving democracy, Venezuela today is in one of its darkest times in history. Years of economic mismanagement, cronyism, and democratic erosion, further fueled by hyperinflation, power cuts, and shortages of food and medicine, have triggered a humanitarian and migration crisis with reverberations across Latin America and beyond. A peaceful democratic transition will remain as the top priority – and the first step – toward a more prosperous future for Venezuelans and the hemisphere.
AALAC Convenes Leaders of the Americas
COVID-19 in Latin America
COVID-19 in Latin America
The global outbreak of COVID-19 has quickly reached Latin America. As confirmed cases across the region surge, community spreading becomes prevalent and the ability to trace and contain the virus diminishes. What actions are regional governments taking—and what responses may be forthcoming—to address the multi-dimensional challenges created by coronavirus? How do public policies converge or differ in approach? Beyond the individual, country-specific countermeasures, what opportunities exist for regional coordination and cooperation?
Fri, Apr 3, 2020
The coronavirus infodemic in Latin America will cost lives
Disinformation and misinformation, especially circulating within the biggest economy in Latin America (Brazil) and the country with the worst man-made humanitarian crisis in the hemisphere (Venezuela), can foment national catastrophes that will be felt well beyond the realms of the online information space and national borders.
Wed, Mar 25, 2020
What Mexico’s response to H1N1 can teach us about coronavirus and future pandemics
While the A(H1N1) and novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crises are different in magnitude and were caused by viruses with different levels of lethality, Mexico’s experience with the A(H1N1) can offer valuable lessons for current disruptions.
New Atlanticist by
Wed, Mar 18, 2020
How the coronavirus will impact Panama’s economy
Panama’s economy—currently precarious and stagnant—depends on infrastructure megaprojects, international trade, and financial services, making it especially vulnerable to external changes like coronavirus.
New Atlanticist by
Women in Latin America
In honor of International Women’s Month, on March 9, storefronts were closed in Mexico. Offices were quiet. School desks stood empty, as women decided not to show up. It was a powerful demonstration of what the world looks like when women enforce “A Day Without Us.”
But the demonstrations in Mexico were not isolated. It represented a broader movement throughout the region. In Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, women spoke up to advocate for equal access to opportunities, inclusion in leadership positions from government to businesses, against domestic violence, against femicide. The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center believes that women, and their leadership, are essential to the future of the region from El Rio Bravo to Tierra Del Fuego.
Valentina Sader, Roberta Braga, Maria Fernanda Perez, Camila Hernandez, and Cristina Guevara, our top-notch Latin America experts highlight opinions and insights on a range of regional issues – all with a focus on women. Read more on the current state of women migrants, women’s political participation, security, and more.
Tue, Mar 10, 2020
Colombia ¿Cómo vamos?: Women’s political and economic empowerment
Closing gender gaps in economic and political empowerment will move Colombia forward in its path toward sustainable development. Greater female participation in the economy and in politics will not only boost the country’s economy (by increasing productivity, diversifying the economy, reducing income inequality, increasing organizational effectiveness, among others), but will also contribute to more inclusive, democratic, and sustainable policies.
Mon, Feb 24, 2020
Women protest for their lives: Fighting femicide in Latin America
Femicide continues to claim the lives of Latin American women on a daily basis. In Mexico, they are standing up to say something about it.
New Atlanticist by
Thu, Mar 5, 2020
Venezuelan women: The unseen victims of the humanitarian crisis
Although gender inequality is not a novel issue in Latin America and especially not in Venezuela, the current humanitarian crisis has made women more vulnerable financially, politically, and socially, and made sexual violence and discrimination commonplace. According to a recent report by Venezuelan non-profit organization Center for Peace and Justice (CEPAZ), the crisis has increased women’s vulnerability through the lack of governance and weakened institutions, impoverishment, lack of access to food and medicine, and the rising forced migration, among other factors.
New Atlanticist by
Tue, Mar 10, 2020
Venezuela’s democratization: Leading with women to achieve peace
In order for Venezuela to transition to a more democratic, inclusive, and peaceful society, the interim government must strengthen women’s political participation and decision-making power.
New Atlanticist by
Tue, Mar 10, 2020
Ahead of Brazil’s municipal elections, novel legal requirements can elevate women’s participation in politics
As the country prepares to hold municipal elections in October 2020, Brazil should aim to increase women’s political participation and learn from its fellow Latin American countries.
New Atlanticist by
Our latest reports
US-Brazil trade and FDI: Enhancing the bilateral economic relationship
The United States and Brazil would benefit from a closer and stronger trade and foreign-direct-investment-relationship that would amplify growth and prosperity, in both the short and long terms. Deepening the economic relationship would pay dividends in other areas as well, translating into greater opportunities for strategic bilateral cooperation. This paper recognizes that the moment is now and that 2020 is a pivotal year to substantively advance bilateral economic ties.
A new energy strategy for the Western Hemisphere
The Western Hemisphere is full of potential and we have the opportunity to galvanize it into an energy powerhouse. This new US energy strategy for the Western Hemisphere will help raise the global competitiveness of the hemisphere, advance its shared prosperity, and improve national and energy security as a result.
Featured in-depth research & reports
Thu, Sep 26, 2019
The Untapped Potential of the US-Colombia Partnership
Creating a Modernized Plan for the Bilateral Relationship
In-Depth Research & Reports by
Wed, Aug 7, 2019
Spotlight: President Bukele’s first six months
As Bukele continues to settle into office, what policies from his proposed Plan Cuscatlán should his administration prioritize?
Issue Brief by
Thu, Apr 11, 2019
Spotlight: Five key economic avenues for strengthening US-Brazil trade and FDI
In what five key ways can the United States and Brazil work more effectively together to strengthen bilateral trade and foreign direct investment?
Report by Daniel Marteleto Godinho, Abrão Neto
AALAC Leadership
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