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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

Issue Brief Jun 24, 2026

Harmonizing USMCA: Enhancing customs to facilitate US-Mexico competitiveness

By the Binational Task Force on Economic Security and Competitiveness

With the 2026 USMCA review underway, negotiating authorities should focus on strengthening the mechanisms that promote trade facilitation: customs.
Economy & Business Latin America
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Dispatches Jun 22, 2026

Experts react: What a President Abelardo de la Espriella means for Colombia and beyond

By Atlantic Council experts

The right-wing candidate has emerged as the winner of Colombia’s runoff election for president, marking an important break with the outgoing administration.
Colombia Elections
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Dispatches Jun 18, 2026

Chile’s new president must move fast on a healthy aging agenda. Here are five ways to start.

By Maite Latorre Yerou, Vijeth Iyengar, Octavio Vergara

Chile’s new president has an opportunity to grow the economy and support its older population, including by clearing health care waiting lists and formalizing older workers.
Economy & Business Latin America

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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

Two men walking across a floodgate.

Issue Brief

Oct 8, 2019

Belt and Road in Latin America: A regional game changer?

By Pepe Zhang

A pragmatic, proactive, and forward-thinking approach is key to ensuring that a massive and evolving Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) provides concrete benefits to Latin America and the Caribbean. In particular, countries in the region—and the United States—should take stock of four emerging BRI trends to stay ahead of the game.

China Energy & Environment
Two men walking across a floodgate.

Issue Brief

Oct 8, 2019

Belt and Road in Latin America: A regional game changer?

By Pepe Zhang

A pragmatic, proactive, and forward-thinking approach is key to ensuring that a massive and evolving Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) provides concrete benefits to Latin America and the Caribbean. In particular, countries in the region—and the United States—should take stock of four emerging BRI trends to stay ahead of the game.

China Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Sep 26, 2019

Colombian president aims for “second phase” of US-Colombian ties

By David A. Wemer

Twenty years after the United States enacted Plan Colombia, Ivan Duque said the United States and Colombia are ready for the next chapter of their partnership, focusing on solidifying the rule of law , promoting entrepreneurship and trade, and managing growing regional challenges.

Colombia Migration

Issue briefs and reports

Sep 26, 2019

The Untapped Potential of the US-Colombia Partnership

By the Atlantic Council’s US-Colombia Task Force

Creating a Modernized Plan for the Bilateral Relationship

Civil Society Colombia

In the News

Sep 23, 2019

Marczak quoted in Voice of America on Venezuela and the 74th UNGA

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Human Rights

Op-Ed

Sep 16, 2019

Maria Fernanda Perez Arguello in The Hill: US-Mexico-Canada trade pact: A necessity in fragile global economy

By María Fernanda Bozmoski

Mexico Trade and tariffs

Report

Sep 12, 2019

Russia’s intervention in Venezuela: What’s at stake?

By John E. Herbst and Jason Marczak

Venezuela is suffering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in recent memory, Russia has become a key actor that has provided a lifeline of support to Maduro and his cronies. Today, Russia’s efforts to prop up Nicolás Maduro have been a relatively low-cost, but high-reward strategy for Moscow to sow further instability in the United States' own hemisphere.

Democratic Transitions Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Past events

Sep 4, 2019

A new day for Mexico? AMLO’s first Informe de Gobierno

By Pablo Reynoso

Conference call On September 4, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center hosted a conference call to analyze Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s (AMLO) government address after his first nine months in office. Speakers included Reynaldo Vizcarra-Mendez, Partner at Baker & McKenzie Abogados S.C.; Rodrigo Gallegos, Advisor at De la Calle, Madrazo, Madrid; and Valeria Moy, Nonresident […]

Economy & Business English

Issue Brief

Aug 7, 2019

Spotlight: President Bukele’s first six months

By María Eugenia Brizuela de Ávila and Domingo Sadurní

As Bukele continues to settle into office, what policies from his proposed Plan Cuscatlán should his administration prioritize?

Central America Elections

Event Recap

Jul 16, 2019

The US-Colombia partnership: From Venezuela’s crisis to counter-narcotics efforts

By Bryan Wilensky

The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, in partnership with the United States Institute for Peace, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars’ Latin America Program, and the Inter-American Dialogue, hosted H.E. Carlos Holmes Trujillo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, for a discussion on the future of US-Colombia relations. The conversation was moderated […]

Colombia Conflict
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