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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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Content

Infographic

Jan 24, 2020

Infographic: Maduro’s Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Jan 23, 2020

A year in, the United States still stands behind Venezuela’s interim government

By David A. Wemer

As the interim government of Venezuela continues to fight for freedom and democracy against the regime of Nicolás Maduro, the United States is “unwavering in [its] commitment” to helping Interim President Juan Guaidó and the National Assembly, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green said on January 23.

Democratic Transitions Human Rights
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Jan 21, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: January 21, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

On January 11, Juan Guaidó, president of the National Assembly who is recognized by more than 50 countries as interim president of Venezuela, announced his intention to appoint a presidential commission to oversee the restructuring of the Maduro regime-backed broadcaster Telesur. The announcement started the debate about the future of the media outlet. The regime mounted a significant response on social and traditional media, including on Telesur itself.

Disinformation Venezuela

Issue briefs and reports

Jan 21, 2020

PeaceGame Venezuela: Pathways to Peace

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

As Venezuela becomes increasingly engulfed in internal strife, the international community must prepare for the most dire scenarios. What would be the reverberations of complete state collapse? How might various stakeholders— from Venezuelan actors to regional neighbors to Russia or armed groups—respond?

Crisis Management Democratic Transitions

Event Recap

Jan 15, 2020

Stemming Maduro’s Illicit Activities: What’s Next After the Jan. 5 Elections?

By Pablo Reynoso

Beyond hyperinflation and human rights abuses, the Maduro regime has diversified its criminal portfolio and profited from a host of illicit activities, from drug smuggling to illegal mining.

Corruption Crisis Management
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Jan 14, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: January 14, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Twitter suspended dozens of accounts connected to the Maduro regime on January 7, 2020, including the official accounts of the Ministerio del Poder Popular de Petróleo (the Ministry of People’s Power for Petroleum), the Minister of the Interior, the Central Bank of Venezuela, and the Bolivarian Army of Venezuela.

Disinformation Venezuela

Issue Brief

Jan 13, 2020

Spotlight: Alejandro Giammattei’s first 100 days

By María Fernanda Bozmoski, Domingo Sadurní

Guatemala will begin a new chapter with the presidential inauguration of Alejandro Giammattei Falla. At the center of the incoming pro-business administration: ushering in a new era of economic growth and job creation. With 59 percent of Guatemalans living in poverty, Central America’s largest and most populous country is also one the poorest and most unequal nations in Latin America.

Central America Latin America

New Atlanticist

Jan 13, 2020

China’s support for the Maduro regime: Enduring or fleeting?

By Cristina Guevara

As Venezuela’s biggest creditor, China is carrying the burden of Venezuela’s economic collapse. The PRC has become increasingly aware of this unsustainable situation, and, behind closed doors, has been in communications with the interim government. Back in February, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that China is open to working with a different government to ensure payment for the loans-for-oil deals. Strictly speaking, China’s relationship with the South American country is transactional, not ideological.

China Venezuela
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Jan 7, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: January 7, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

As Nicolás Maduro and Juan Guaidó waged a political battle for Venezuela, they spent 2019 going head to head on social media as well. Social media is an important battlefield in Venezuela and one of the areas the regime prioritizes in order to control the country. The DFRLab analyzed their social presence on Facebook and Twitter from January to December 2019 and concluded that, even though Maduro has more followers and page likes, Guaidó garners more engagement with his posts.

Disinformation Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2020

Shaping the global future together: the Council’s “Top fifteen hits” of 2019

By Frederick Kempe

We look back at the Atlantic Council's top work of 2019 galvanizing US leadership alongside partners and allies to tackle the most pressing challenges confronting our nation and our world.

Africa Americas
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