Latin America Commentary & Analysis

Send-Off Reception for Ambassador Whitaker

The new US Ambassador to Colombia, Kevin Whitaker, is taking over one of the most strategic diplomatic positions in the Western Hemisphere. A key political and economic ally to the United States, Colombia is also an important free-trade partner. Strong democratic institutions and a thriving economy point to a prosperous future, one where Colombia increasingly […]

Latin America Center Hosts Argentine Political Leader Sergio Massa

During his international debut in Washington, DC, Argentine opposition leader Sergio Massa joined top policymakers and business leaders for a private discussion at the Atlantic Council on March 27, co-hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce.

Spotlight Chile | March 18

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Will Chile ratify a new constitution during the second Bachelet presidency? This months’ Spotlight explores three scenarios. President Michelle Bachelet of the Socialist Party-led New Majority coalition took office for her second four-year term on March 11. She has proposed a broad agenda of educational, electoral, and other constitutional reforms. Bachelet is also seeking to […]

Latin America’s Economic Integration and Inclusion

With the region’s increasing prominence on the world stage, Latin America and the Caribbean are at a critical juncture towards a more prosperous future. Yet there is still work to be done – not only in promoting sustained economic progress but also in building stronger trade and investment ties with the United States, its top […]

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 […]

Venezuela Must Avoid More Violence Over Protests

By New Atlanticist

The United States and its allies should press Venezuela’s government to avoid further violence following the street protests in which five people have been reported killed, the Atlantic Council’s Jason Marczak says. President Nicolas Maduro has seen three weeks of demonstrations intensify following his government’s arrest Tuesday of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. “The protests in […]

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.