Latin America Commentary & Analysis

Venezuela’s Protests: Passing Phase or Profound Reform?

Since the beginning of late Hugo Chávez’s administration in 1998, the once stable democratic government in Venezuela has been consistently damaged by political repression, lack of strong freedom of expression, institutional ineffectiveness, and constant human right abuses that have left many calls for justice unanswered. Recently, internal turmoil in the country has elevated political divisions […]

Tipping Point? Public Opinion and US Cuba Policy in 2014

Cold War rhetoric and extremist policy were central to the discussion of the Atlantic Council poll on US-Cuba policy, hosted at the Pacific Council in Lost Angeles. Pollster Paul Maslin began the event by explaining that many Americans think the United States has worse relations with Cuba than with Iran. Congressman Howard Berman seized upon this […]

US-Cuba: What Is American Public Opinion Today?

Miami, long considered the stomping ground of the hard-line, pro-embargo community has undergone a dramatic shift in demographics. 64% of Miami-Dade county now favors normalization with Cuba. There remains, however, a collection of people who adamantly support current US policy and who find the new Atlantic Council poll an affront to their long-held beliefs. This […]

Atlantic Council Poll: Americans Want New Relations With Cuba

American political opinion has shifted to support a broad US government opening to Cuba, including an end to the 54-year-old trade embargo and restrictions on travel by Americans to the island, according to a nationwide poll released today by the Atlantic Council.

Mexico’s Energy Reform: What’s Next for Business?

If Mexico’s energy reform succeeds, Mexico will evolve from a major supplier of oil to strategic global supplier in the next decade, David Goldwyn—the State Department’s former special envoy and coordinator for international energy affairs—told a conference of energy executives in Houston, Texas. The Mexican Congress moved into phase two of energy reform in February […]

Spotlight Brazil

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

What Will be the Legacy of the 2014 World Cup for Brazil? From June 12 to July 13, Brazil will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup across twelve cities. During the tournament an estimated 600,000 foreign visitors and 3 million Brazilians are expected to travel across the country of more than 200 million people. Over […]

A Closer Look at What Mexico’s Landmark Energy Reform Will Mean

Mexico is poised to expand its oil production so dramatically that it may become one of the world’s most strategically important oil exporters within the next decade, US analysts and a top Mexican official told a conference at the Atlantic Council. Mexico’s decision this year to end the 75-year monopoly of the state-owned company PEMEX, […]

Spotlight Colombia: December 5

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

How might the FARC peace negotiations impact Colombia’s presidential election? President Barack Obama emphasized “the tremendous progress that’s taken place in Colombia” after meeting with President Juan Manuel Santos at the White House on December 3. His comments come at a pivotal moment as Colombia enters an electoral season. Download PDF

Latin America Center Hosts Colombian President

By Jason Marczak

In his second official US visit, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos joined top policymakers and business leaders for an off-the-record working dinner at the Atlantic Council on December 3. The private event was co-chaired by three former National Security Advisers: General Colin Powell, Stephen Hadley, and Samuel Berger.

Spotlight Venezuela | November 12

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Nearly seven months after a highly contentious presidential election, Venezuela’s political, economic, and social future is increasingly uncertain. On November 8, President Nicolás Maduro ordered the “occupation” of an electronics store chain followed by a call for “Bolivarian militias” to flood the streets to crack down on the “right- wing’s fascist economic war.” Security forces are enforcing […]