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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

Issue Brief

Nov 16, 2022

The future of immunization financing in Latin America and the Caribbean

By Miguel Betancourt-Cravioto and Pepe Zhang

This issue brief outlines outlines recommendations for national immunization programs to promptly recover from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue on a path to effectively protect the health and well-being of region’s populations.

Americas Latin America

Announcements

Nov 10, 2022

Atlantic Council announces new members to the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center’s Advisory Council

Top leaders from the Western Hemisphere committed to advancing the mission of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center join the Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Fast Thinking

Oct 30, 2022

Lula is back in Brazil. Here’s what’s coming.

By Atlantic Council

How will Brazil reposition itself on the world stage? Our experts peer into the future that awaits.

Americas Brazil

New Atlanticist

Oct 30, 2022

Experts react: Lula defeats Bolsonaro in Brazil. What should the region and the world expect?

By Atlantic Council experts

We turned to our Latin America experts to get a sense of the coming policy shift for Brazil both at home and abroad.

Brazil Democratic Transitions

Aviso LatAm: COVID-19

Oct 30, 2022

Aviso LatAm: October 30, 2022

57 percent of the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean are food insecure

Brazil Caribbean

New Atlanticist

Oct 2, 2022

Lula vs. Bolsonaro: Your expert breakdown of Brazil’s presidential election runoff

By Atlantic Council experts

To make sense of the first-round results and fill us in on what’s next, we turned to our top Brazil and Latin America minds.

Brazil Economy & Business

Aviso LatAm: COVID-19

Oct 1, 2022

Aviso LatAm: October 1, 2022

57 percent of the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean are food insecure

Brazil Coronavirus

Press Release

Sep 27, 2022

Ten-minute Reduction in Wait Times At US-Mexico Border Could Boost Economic Activity by $26 Million: Atlantic Council Study

The research was completed by the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, the University of Texas at El Paso, and Colegio de la Frontera Norte, in partnership with the US Department of State Washington DC – September 27, 2022 – A 10-minute reduction in wait times for northbound traffic at the US-Mexico border could lead […]

Report

Sep 27, 2022

The economic impact of a more efficient US-Mexico border: How reducing wait times at land ports of entry would promote commerce, resilience, and job creation

By Alejandro Brugués Rodríguez, John Byrd, Noé Arón Fuentes Flores, David Gaytan, John Gibson, Camila Hernández, Mayra Maldonado, Jason Marczak, Jorge Eduardo Mendoza Cota, Roberto Ransom, and Ignacia Ulloa

Improvements in border management and the adoption of new technologies at the US-Mexico border have the potential to enhance border security and generate economic benefits for the United States and Mexico through expedited flows of goods and people.

Economy & Business Latin America

Event Recap

Sep 23, 2022

A conversation with H.E. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of Suriname, chair of the Caribbean Community

A recorded conversation on the sidelines of the UNGA with H.E. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of the Republic of Suriname, on how to address energy, climate, and food security in the Caribbean

Americas Caribbean
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