Latin America

Colombian President’s Official Visit to DC Includes Dinner at the Council

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

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. US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker was […]

More Uncertainty Ahead of Venezuela’s Municipal Elections

By Jason Marczak and Peter Schechter

Where is Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro taking his country? Clearly, it is radicalizing further and faster than under his predecessor, Hugo Chávez. Exactly one month before the December 8 municipal elections, Maduro announced the “occupation” of the Daka chain of electronics stores and security forces proceeded to arrest several executives. A few days later he […]

Spotlight Venezuela

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

In the first installment of our Spotlight series, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center explores three scenarios of how the increasingly volatile situation in Venezuela may unfold. This is a particularly critical moment as the country heads toward municipal elections on December 8 with President Nicolás Maduro recently being granted emergency decree powers […]

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 […]

Spying: It’s What’s For Dinner

By Alex Ward

Back in September, Brazil’s President Dilma Rouseff canceled her state visit to the United States, which included the rare honor of a state dinner, because she was “incensed over a series of reports that the NSA tapped her personal communications.” This, of course, was only one grievance among many as it was revealed the United States spies on […]

Is Venezuela Going Over the Edge? An Assessment from Human Rights Defenders

On October 29, 2013, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and Freedom House hosted a conversation with three Venezuelan human rights activists on the state of democracy and freedom in Venezuela.

Mexico: Education Reforms Under Siege

By Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

Lucia, a resident of Mexico City, was stuck in traffic for nearly seven hours. Pedro, from Guatemala, couldn’t make it home after protesters forced the airport to close, cancelling his flight. These stories will sound familiar to anyone who experienced the chaos in Mexico over the past weeks. The disorder stemmed from striking teachers unions, […]

Latin America’s Drop Out Crisis

By Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

It is estimated that between now and 2040, nearly 40 percent of Latin America’s labor force will lack even a high school degree – much less, any advanced academic or professional training. This is a major challenge in a century whose economic winners are being defined by the ability to innovate, adapt, and leverage advanced […]