Central America

An unprecedented wave of irregular migration in Central America has brought renewed US and international attention on the Northern Triangle countries – Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Rampant corruption, violence, and lack of economic opportunities have forced thousands to flee in search of a better future. As a new political landscape emerges in the region, the challenge remains: improving the living conditions for citizens. US support is critical to address that challenge.

Recent analysis

Spotlight: Latin America and the Caribbean – Ten questions for 2022

Issue Brief Feb 27, 2026

One month in, can Honduras’ new president put the country on the path to lasting economic gains?

By María Fernanda Bozmoski, Isabella Palacios

President Nasry Asfura’s early reforms have signaled a focus on fiscal austerity and competitiveness, sending positive messages to investors and to President Donald Trump, who backed him during the campaign. Sustaining this momentum will require significant structural reforms.
Americas Central America
Spotlight: Latin America and the Caribbean – Ten questions for 2022

Dispatches Jan 20, 2026

What to watch in Guatemala’s year of institutional reset

By Henrique Arevalo Poincot

With several important leadership positions scheduled to see changes, 2026 may be the year that Guatemala takes back its captured institutions.
Central America Corruption
Spotlight: Latin America and the Caribbean – Ten questions for 2022

New Atlanticist Dec 3, 2025

Is Costa Rica in a political crisis?  

By María Fernanda Bozmoski

The country finds itself in an exceptional—yet constitutionally permitted—confrontation between its executive branch and its independent electoral authority.
Central America Elections

Events

Public Event Tue, February 24, 2026 • 3:00 pm ET

Unlocking new opportunities in US-Guatemala trade and investment
Americas Central America Economy & Business Latin America
Online Event Fri, December 19, 2025 • 3:00 pm ET

Where Honduras stands three weeks after the vote
Americas Central America Democratic Transitions Elections
Online Event Tue, December 2, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

What to know after Hondurans cast their vote
Americas Central America Elections Latin America

Programs

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.

Learn more

Content

Spotlight

Jan 4, 2022

Spotlight: Latin America and the Caribbean – Ten questions for 2022

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

The year 2022 will be one of change across the Western Hemisphere. So, what might or might not be on the horizon?

Brazil Caribbean

Issue Brief

Sep 1, 2021

Addressing instability in Central America: Restrictions on civil liberties, violence, and climate change

By María Fernanda Bozmoski, María Eugenia Brizuela de Avila, Domingo Sadurní

Citizens across Latin America and the Caribbean are rising up in protest. Political frustration and economic stagnation are fueling social discontent exacerbated by the continued COVID-19 pandemic and the slow health response. In Central America, restrictions on civil liberties, high rates of gender-based violence and extortion, and worsening climate change are compounding the lack of economic opportunities and pervasive corruption seen in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Central America Climate Change & Climate Action

In the News

Jun 10, 2021

Kroenig joins KNX 1070 to discuss Biden’s upcoming trip to Europe and Harris’ recent trip to Central America.

By Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig appeared on KNX 1070 Radio to preview President Biden’s trip to Europe, where he’ll meet the Queen and Vladimir Putin; and to recap Vice President Harris’ trip to Central America and Mexico for which she received plenty of criticism from both her right and left flanks.

Central America Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

May 26, 2021

Combatting corruption in the Northern Triangle: Prioritizing a whole-of-society approach

By María Fernanda Bozmoski, Carlos Hernández, Roberto Rubio and Domingo Sadurní

Public corruption and weak rule of law are arguably the most persistent and long-standing challenges for strengthening democratic institutions and sustaining inclusive economic development in the Northern Triangle. Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador have grappled with widespread corruption that has fueled mistrust in political and wealthy elites, eroded democratic norms, exacerbated poverty, widened social inequality, and contributed to the conditions that force migrants to leave their homes.

Central America Corruption

New Atlanticist

Apr 30, 2021

Raising ambitions: How Latin America and the Caribbean is tackling the climate crisis

By Valentina Sader

The Americas are a crucial player in coordinated efforts to tackle global climate change, so we asked experts from the Atlantic Council and elsewhere to lay out what’s next.

Brazil Caribbean

Fast Thinking

Apr 13, 2021

FAST THINKING: Why economic development is key to addressing the migration crisis at the US border

By Atlantic Council

On this episode of Fast Thinking, Atlantic Council experts Rebecca Scheurer and Jason Marczak dive into the root causes of mass emigration from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, and offer recommendations for long-term solutions to the underlying push factors that drive people from their homes—including crime, gang violence, corruption, and climate change.

Central America Migration

Spotlight

Feb 11, 2021

Spotlight: 10 Questions for Latin America and the Caribbean

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

As February begins, we can now look ahead to the rest of the year with our annual predictions of what may or may not transpire in this unpredictable world.

Brazil Caribbean

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2020

A budget roils a nation. What’s happening in Guatemala?

By María Fernanda Bozmoski

The Guatemalan Congress went up in smoke, literally, on November 21, when massive protests broke out against a draft budget that was negotiated behind closed doors, with limited input from civil society, and that proposed cuts in funding for COVID-19 and human rights agencies as the country battles the virus, unemployment, and corruption.

Central America Coronavirus

Past events

Oct 6, 2020

Central America economic reactivation: Finding opportunities in a COVID-19 world

On September 29, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center hosted an event to discuss Central America’s economic reactivation in the context of COVID-19 and how countries can take advantage of the demographic bonus of a large working-age population, attract nearshoring opportunities, and renew momentum towards regional integration.

Central America Coronavirus

Issue Brief

Sep 28, 2020

Central America Economic Reactivation in a COVID-19 World: Finding Sustainable Opportunities in Uncertain Times

By María Eugenia Brizuela de Ávila, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, María Fernanda Bozmoski, and Domingo Sadurní

By: María Eugenia Brizuela de Ávila, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, María Fernanda Bozmoski, and Domingo Sadurní Contributing authors: Enrique Bolaños and Salvador Paiz Foreword As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, countries around the world face an unprecedented test: concurrent public health and economic crises coupled with the resulting political and social reverberations. In Central America, the […]

Americas Central America
Load More

Experts

Advisory Council member

Jacqueline Bern de Mena

Chief executive officer, Grupo Bern

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Central America English

Staff

María Fernanda Bozmoski

Director, Impact and Operations and Lead for Central America

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Central America

Advisory Council member

Laura Chinchilla

Former President, Costa Rica

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Central America Economy & Business

Staff

Jason Marczak

Vice President and Senior Director

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Americas Argentina

Advisory Council member

<strong>Erika Mouynes</strong>

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Panama

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Central America Democratic Transitions

Staff

Isabella Palacios

Program Assistant

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Central America Colombia
Load More