Latin America

Latin America’s middle class has doubled, the region has awoken to the fight against corruption, economies have begun to diversify, and democratic institutions have largely taken hold. A key partner for the United States, Europe, and other corners of the globe, Latin America is an influential actor in the new global order and is prepared to address future challenges on a regional and international level.

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Recent analysis

How the Trump-Petro meeting could reshape Colombia’s electoral landscape

Issue Brief Nov 19, 2025

Why modernizing CAFTA-DR matters for the United States, and options for updating the trade pact

By Enrique Millán-Mejía, Antonio Ortiz Mena, and Rocío Rivera Barradas

Central America and the Dominican Republic are emerging as key partners for US economic security. The United States has a unique opportunity to reform its free trade agreement with the region—CAFTA-DR—to strengthen these ties.
Americas Economy & Business
How the Trump-Petro meeting could reshape Colombia’s electoral landscape

New Atlanticist Nov 6, 2025

The expert conversation: What’s Trump’s endgame in Venezuela?

By Matthew Kroenig, Jason Marczak

We spoke to Matthew Kroenig and Jason Marczak to shed light on the US campaign of attacks on alleged drug boats and lay out what’s next.
Conflict Human Rights
How the Trump-Petro meeting could reshape Colombia’s electoral landscape

New Atlanticist Nov 17, 2025

Chile’s next president will either be from the far right or the far left. Washington should watch closely.

By Maite Gonzalez Latorre

Either José Antonio Kast or Jeanette Jara will be Chile’s next president. The country is headed for a change no matter who wins.
Economy & Business Elections

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.

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Content

Dispatches

Feb 5, 2026

How the Trump-Petro meeting could reshape Colombia’s electoral landscape

By Isabella Palacios

Petro’s turn toward engagement with Trump could have a significant impact on Colombia’s upcoming elections and the next president’s relations with Washington.

Colombia Latin America

Dispatches

Feb 5, 2026

When economic warfare meets gunboat diplomacy: What to know about the US seizures of shadow fleet tankers

By Stephanie Connor

The Trump administration’s seizures of “shadow fleet” vessels evading US sanctions raises several crucial legal and logistical questions.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Report

Feb 4, 2026

Local and community-driven solutions for development in fragile states

By Elton Skendaj, Peter Mandaville, and Ibrahima Bokoum

This collaborative paper examines community-driven approaches to development from three unique perspectives and highlights the importance of putting local agency at the center of international development work.

Africa Caribbean

Memo to...

Feb 3, 2026

Memo to the president: Steps to secure a prosperous, US-aligned Venezuela

By Jason Marczak, Ambassador James Story, General (ret.) Laura J. Richardson, and Geoff Ramsey

One month after Nicolás Maduro’s removal from power, Washington has significant leverage it can use in the short term to boost the odds of a stable, democratic Venezuela emerging in the long term. To that end, our experts lay out the tough asks the US government should make of interim president Delcy Rodríguez.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

Dispatches

Feb 2, 2026

To repair US-Colombia ties, Trump and Petro should focus on counternarcotics and Venezuela

By Kevin Whitaker

By focusing on shared interests on counternarcotics and Venezuela, Tuesday's Oval Office meeting between the US and Colombian presidents can put the two nations’ bilateral relations on a better path.

Colombia Crisis Management

Dispatches

Jan 30, 2026

Haiti’s week ahead is the next test for Trump’s Western Hemisphere focus

By Camilla Reitherman and Diana Roy

US temporary protected status for Haiti and Haiti’s governing Transitional Presidential Council are winding down within days of each other.

Caribbean Conflict

Dispatches

Jan 28, 2026

To boost Venezuela’s economic recovery, the US should lean into Colombia

By Enrique Millán-Mejía

With the right safeguards in place, increased US coordination with Colombia can help boost Venezuela’s reconstruction.

Colombia Economy & Business

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

Dispatches

Jan 20, 2026

Three charts that show the long shadow of Maduro’s economic disaster in Venezuela

By Ignacio Albe, Enrique Millán-Mejía

Under Maduro, Venezuela experienced one of the most dramatic economic collapses of modern history—and it may take fifty years to recover.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Dispatches

Jan 14, 2026

China’s latest naval moves in the Western Hemisphere put Brazil in the diplomatic spotlight

By Thayz Guimarães

The coincidence of US and Chinese maritime visits this month highlights how Brazil is becoming a reluctant arena for competition between Washington and Beijing.

Brazil Economy & Business
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Experts

Staff

Ignacio Albe

Assistant Director

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Brazil French

Fellow

Henrique Arevalo Poincot

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Elections Latin America

Millennium fellow

Iliyana Arnaudova

Clean Energy Finance Manager, C40

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action
Ana Arriagada

Staff

Ana Arriagada

Assistant Director, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Civil Society

Fellow

Kyle Atwell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Colombia

Fellow

Marino Auffant

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Economy & Business Energy & Environment
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Events

Public Event Fri, March 20, 2026 • 2:00 pm ET

The fight for influence in Venezuela against Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba
Americas Latin America Politics & Diplomacy Venezuela