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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

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

Colombia Peace and Prosperity Task Force

Apr 9, 2019

US-Colombia Task Force – Phase 2

Today, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center launches phase two of its US-Colombia Task Force chaired by US Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). The bi-national group will help guide President Duque, President Trump, the US Congress, and both countries’ private sectors, as Colombia transitions into a more peaceful and prosperous democracy.

Colombia Economy & Business
mexico

Program Impact Story

Apr 2, 2019

Conference call: US foreign assistance and the future of the Northern Triangle

By Atlantic Council

On April 2, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center of the Atlantic Council held a rapid-reaction conference call following the announcement of President Donald J. Trump’s decision to cut aid to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, in an attempt to curb Central American migration to the United States. The State Department is now working to […]

Latin America Migration

Event Recap

Mar 28, 2019

Digital resilience in Latin America: Automation, disinformation, and polarization in elections

By Valentina Sader

2018 saw political tides turn in three of Latin America’s largest democracies. These elections also saw deep polarization and distrust in institutions among Brazilians, Mexicans, and Colombians in an information environment ripe with disinformation. Following a year-long effort in which the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and its Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) […]

Americas Brazil

Report

Mar 28, 2019

Disinformation in democracies: Strengthening digital resilience in Latin America

By Luiza Bandeira, Donara Barojan, Roberta Braga, Jose Luis Peñarredonda, Maria Fernanda Pérez Argüello

2018 saw political tides turn in three of Latin America’s largest democracies. These elections also saw deep polarization and distrust in institutions among Brazilians, Mexicans, and Colombians in an information environment ripe with disinformation. And while disinformation and misinformation are nothing new, the spread of false information at alarming rates – facilitated by politicians, non-state […]

Disinformation Latin America
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