Featured Content

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

Stay Updated


To stay up to date on our insight, analysis, and events covering pressing political, economic, and strategic issues across the region, sign up below.

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!

watch more

Stay connected

Content

New Atlanticist

Jan 11, 2019

“The future looks dark” as Maduro begins second term in Venezuela

By David A. Wemer

The United States, Canada, the European Union, and most of Latin America’s major economies have refused to recognize Maduro’s election and are undertaking a sustained external pressure campaign against the regime.

Corruption Economic Sanctions

Article

Jan 10, 2019

MADURO: Fraud and six years of failures

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center's infographic depicts the illegitimacy of Maduro's new term, his first-term results, and options for the road ahead.

Venezuela

2018 Elections in Latin America

Jan 7, 2019

Jair Bolsonaro’s first one hundred days

By Atlantic Council

In one of the most consequential presidential elections in the country’s recent history, Brazilians elected Jair Messias Bolsonaro their next president on October 28, 2018, after two highly contested rounds of voting that left Brazilians deeply divided. In this Spotlight, we ask: What are the four of the top action items President Bolsonaro might prioritize […]

Brazil

In the News

Dec 19, 2018

Marczak in USA Today: US Should Welcome Mexico’s Bold New Steps to Help Migrants and Central America

By Jason Marczak

Read the full article here

Mexico

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2018

Five takeaways from Latin America’s presidential elections in 2018

By Valentina Sader

The next four years are an opportunity for each government to implement reforms necessary for the growth and development of the region’s three largest democracies.  

Brazil Colombia

Event Recap

Dec 3, 2018

China- Latin America Trade at a Moment of Uncertainty: What Lies Ahead in 2019?

By Peter Ruvalcaba

On December 3, 2018, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center gathered distinguished experts to discuss the US-China trade-and-investment relationship. It was the purpose of this forum to rigorously analyze and at times debate the tenuous relationship between the world’s two largest economies and formally introduce the report China-Latin America Trade at a Moment […]

China Latin America

Report

Dec 3, 2018

Latin America-China trade and investment amid global tensions

By ANABEL GONZÁLEZ

In the context of high stakes global trade confrontations, there is a strong motivation for Latin America and China to explore fresh options to upgrade, diversify, and deepen their trade-and-investment relationship, not only to manage peril, but also to leverage new opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation.

China Latin America

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2018

At the G20, a battle to reaffirm the value of a multilateral system

By Paula Garcia Tufro

As we look at key issues on the G20 agenda, trade, climate change, migration, sustainable development, and pandemics remain transnational issues that require global solutions.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2018

With AMLO, an opportunity to reset the US-Mexico relationship

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The populist leader, who is more popularly known as AMLO, will be sworn in as the president of Mexico on December 1. This may be good news for the US-Mexico relationship.

Mexico
USMCASignedFeature

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2018

Trump, Trudeau, and Peña Nieto sign new trade agreement: Here’s what you need to know about the USMCA

By Patricia Thomas

lthough many provisions remained the same there are several key changes and new provisions that distinguish the USMCA from NAFTA.

Mexico Politics & Diplomacy
Load More