All in-depth research & reports

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Feb 12, 2024

Don’t let geopolitics undermine Latin America’s hard-won free markets

By Stephen B. Kaplan

The United States is concerned about China’s close economic ties to Latin America and the Caribbean; however, the US response should be careful not to undermine longstanding market norms and popular trade liberalization policies

Caribbean China

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Feb 12, 2024

China and Russia engage Latin America and the Caribbean differently. Both threaten US interests.

By Ryan C. Berg

China and Russia are both seeking to deepen their influence in the Western Hemisphere at the expense of the United States, though the means by, and ends for, which they pursue that differ in some cases. China’s engagement is more thorough and multifaceted, while Russia’s is more circumscribed.

China Economy & Business

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Feb 12, 2024

Beijing’s influence on Latin America’s energy mix is growing—especially in renewables

By Joseph Webster, William Tobin

Russia and, especially, China are intertwined in Latin America’s energy market, with Chinese ties expanding markedly over the past two decades. The United States and its allies and partners must take quick action to counter this rising influence.

China Energy & Environment

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Feb 12, 2024

The competition for influence in the Americas is now online

By Celina Realuyo

China is expanding its footprint in Latin America and the Caribbeans’s emerging technology and critical infrastructure arenas, while Russia is engaging in foreign influence operations via the cyber domain. These challenges require a proactive stance by the United States.

China Cybersecurity

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Feb 12, 2024

China pairs actions with messaging in Latin America. The United States should do the same.

By David O. Shullman

China has coordinated trade, financing, and investment with diplomatic engagement, public diplomacy, and information operations to deepen its influence in Latin America and the Caribbean. Washington should, in turn, pair diplomatic engagement and messaging with greater attention to regional countries’ needs.

China Economy & Business

Report

Dec 20, 2023

The future of clean energy in the Americas

By Wazim Mowla, Diego Area

LAC countries are facing major challenges in their ability to develop renewable energy projects, expand low-emission energy systems, and fill existing technical and financing gaps that hinder regional energy security. A key takeaway to come out of the Summit Implementation Roundtable was that the US-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030) has the potential to advance clean energy goals in the Caribbean and become a blueprint to address similar challenges in Latin America.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
Guatemala's Foreign Minister Mario Adolfo Bucaro Flores, Paraguay's President Mario Abdo Benitez, Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso, Costa Rica President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, El Salvador's Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco, Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader and Suriname's President Chandrikapersad Santokhi react as they take part in the EU-LAC Digital alliance photo op ceremony, during the summit in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Johanna Geron

Issue Brief

Dec 12, 2023

Galvanizing Spain’s presidency for the next chapter

By Ignacia Ulloa Peters, Diego Area, Felipe Félix Méndez

Spain’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2023 was a unique opportunity to deepen partnerships between the Euro-Americas. Through shared values, common interests, and complementary capabilities, the EU, US, and LAC have the potential to advance lasting solutions to the most pressing challenges facing these regions and the world.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Report

Nov 30, 2023

Advancing US-Colombia cooperation on drug policy and law enforcement

By Atlantic Council US-Colombia Advisory Group

Consumption and price of the drug has remained stable in the United States in recent years. However, the current trend of falling coca leaf and cocaine prices in Colombia present a natural incentive for coca growers to find alternative forms of income, which could mean a higher rate of success for alternative development programs.

Civil Society Colombia

Report

Nov 8, 2023

Future of the Cities Summit of the Americas

By Willow Fortunoff, Diego Area

The first-ever Cities Summit of the Americas created a new platform for mayors across the hemisphere to build partnerships with civil society organizations–particularly those focused on the region and/or local governance–private sector companies, and one another.

Civil Society Energy Markets & Governance

Issue Brief

Sep 26, 2023

A roadmap for the Caribbean’s energy transition

By David Goldwyn, Eugene Tiah, and Wazim Mowla

Caribbean countries are in desperate need of an energy transition. Disproportionately high electricity costs impede economic development, stress public finance budgets, and harm the competitiveness of tourism and other industries.

Americas Caribbean
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The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center broadens understanding of regional transformations and delivers constructive, results-oriented solutions to inform how the public and private sectors can advance hemispheric prosperity.

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