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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

Dispatches Aug 12, 2026

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

By Jason Marczak

CALI, Colombia—Most elected officials enter office with an agenda for a better future, and most want to get to work implementing it immediately. Sooner or later, however, that agenda must compete with the urgent, unexpected demands of the present. For newly minted Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, the time between being sworn in and […]
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
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Dispatches Aug 4, 2026

Three charts on how Latin American central banks are diverging on inflation

By Enrique Millán-Mejía and Raúl González-Pietrogiovanna

Governments that cannot raise more revenue and will not trim commitments end up borrowing, and the pressure lands back on their central banks.
Americas 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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Apr 15, 2020

President Iván Duque: Colombia’s COVID-19 response and strategies moving forward

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council Front Page Event President Iván Duque: Colombia’s COVID-19 response and strategies moving forward Speaker: President Iván Duque, President of the Republic of Colombia Introductions By: Frederick Kempe, President & CEO, Atlantic Council Adrienne Arsht, Executive Vice Chair, Atlantic Council; Moderated By: Jason Marczak, Director, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, Atlantic Council Time:  4:00 […]

New Atlanticist

Apr 14, 2020

President Duque outlines how Colombia is handling dual coronavirus challenges

By David A. Wemer

For most countries around the world, the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has strained resources and demanded singular attention from policymakers. For Colombia, this new crisis must also be juggled with the ongoing collapse of neighboring Venezuela, which has already seen 2 million Venezuelans seek refuge in Colombia. “We have had to manage two crises at the same time,” President Iván Duque explained on April 14, which forced Colombia to take drastic measures to contain coronavirus earlier than many of its neighbors.

Colombia Coronavirus

In the News

Apr 8, 2020

Bell and Goldwyn quoted in Gestión (Spanish) on falling oil prices in Latin America amidst coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Latin America

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2020

Panama’s coronavirus response must not affect constitutional order

By Cristina Guevara

The outbreak will have severe economic consequences for Panama, which is experiencing its weakest economic expansion since the global recession of 2009, but the shock does not end there: from a constitutional perspective, there will certainly be implications for a country characterized by corruption, impunity, and inequality.

Coronavirus Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2020

The coronavirus infodemic in Latin America will cost lives

By Roberta Braga and Diego Area

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.

Brazil Coronavirus
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Mar 31, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: March 31, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Three Facebook groups impersonating the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shared content about Maduro’s indictment for drug trafficking on March 26, 2020.

Disinformation Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2020

What Mexico’s response to H1N1 can teach us about coronavirus and future pandemics

By Pablo Reynoso Brito

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.

Coronavirus Mexico
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Mar 25, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: March 25, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Two Venezuelan fringe websites created Facebook groups and pages impersonating well-known media outlets to promote their own content, apparently motivated by profit.

Disinformation Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2020

What Latin American countries are doing to confront coronavirus

By David A. Wemer

As governments in North America, Europe, Asia, and around the world continue to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Latin American leaders are stepping up their efforts as cases are beginning to be documented in their countries. Although the number of cases across the region remains mostly lower than the epicenters in Europe and the United States, “we are not letting our guard down,” El Salvador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill Tinoco said on March 23. “No one can guarantee us that it is not going to hit us,” she explained, so every Latin American government is taking the threat seriously.

Central America Colombia

New Atlanticist

Mar 18, 2020

How the coronavirus will impact Panama’s economy

By Cristina Guevara

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.

Coronavirus Latin America
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