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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

Event Recap

Jun 20, 2019

Russian influence in Venezuela: What should the United States do?

By Domingo Sadurni

On June 20, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and its Eurasia Center co-hosted a public event to discuss the extent of Russian involvement in Venezuela, Moscow’s motivations and possible next moves, and how the United States should react. As a wave of international and domestic support for a democratic transition is sweeping […]

Economic Sanctions English
Russia In Ven

Program Impact Story

Jun 20, 2019

Russian influence in Venezuela: what should the United States do?

By Atlantic Council

On June 20, the Eurasia Center and the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center co-hosted a private strategy breakfast on Russian influence in Venezuela, followed by a public event, Russian Influence in Venezuela: What Should the United States Do? The private strategy session included senior US government and foreign officials. The public event focused on the […]

Defense Policy National Security

Event Recap

Jun 12, 2019

US-Mexico deal reached: The economic reasons for avoiding tariffs

By Pablo Reynoso

On June 12, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center in partnership with POLITICO, hosted a timely event to discuss the economic costs of tariffs on Mexican imports for US consumers. The event was held less than a week after a US-Mexico deal was reached. The event featured a keynote conversation with Senator Tom […]

Americas Economy & Business

Program Impact Story

Jun 10, 2019

Venezuela: Private Strategy Session on Venezuela and Meeting of the Stabilization Leaders Forum

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center hosted two notable private Venezuela-related events in early June: a three-day Strategy Session on Venezuela and a meeting of the Stabilization Leaders Forum (SLF). The private, off-the-record Strategy Session on Venezuela focused on Venezuela’s citizen and national security challenges and brought together key Venezuelan stakeholders and more than 80 […]

Democratic Transitions Elections

Article

Jun 7, 2019

Infographic: Costs of a five percent Mexico tariff on US consumers

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

On June 10, without a deal, the United States will place a 5 percent tariff on all Mexican products, with the potential to escalate by 5 percent each month until October, reaching a potential maximum of 25 percent. The US tariffs, levied in response to President Trump’s demand that Mexico stop all migration, would have […]

Americas Economy & Business

Insights & Impact

Jun 1, 2019

Hacking Corruption: Tech Tools to Fight Graft in the Americas

Maria Fernanda Perez Arguello and Tamara Ziff Against the backdrop of scandals and citizen discontent, the Peruvian government designated “democratic governance against corruption” as the central theme of the 2018 Summit of the Americas—the triennial meeting of heads of state from countries in the Americas. In preparation for the meeting, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America […]

Americas Corruption

Event Recap

Jun 1, 2019

Rapid reaction call: Implications of President Trump’s Mexico tariff threat

On May 30, President Trump announced that he would impose tariffs on products imported from Mexico, beginning at 5 percent on June 10, with a possible escalation to 25 percent by October. This threat is directed at the US’ largest trading partner thus far in 2019. President Trump’s announcement came on the same day that […]

Americas Economy & Business

Event Recap

Apr 26, 2019

Venezuela after Maduro: A vision for the country’s future

By Angela Chavez

On Thursday, April 25, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center hosted the US Special Representative for Venezuela Elliot Abrams to discuss what an inclusive democratic transition in Venezuela looks like. The event convened key figures representing both the Venezuelan opposition and the dissident Chavismo, who are committed to bringing about a return to […]

English Latin America
aalac

Program Impact Story

Apr 25, 2019

Venezuela after Maduro: A Vision for the country’s future

By Atlantic Council

On April 25, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center hosted a discussion that laid out a vision for what the future of Venezuela could look like after democracy is restored. US Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams provided a policy address calling for inclusion to accelerate Venezuela’s democratization process, noting that dissident Chavismo […]

Democratic Transitions Latin America

Report

Apr 11, 2019

Spotlight: Five key economic avenues for strengthening US-Brazil trade and FDI

By Daniel Marteleto Godinho, Abrão Neto

In what five key ways can the United States and Brazil work more effectively together to strengthen bilateral trade and foreign direct investment?

Brazil Economy & Business
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