Recent analysis

The US capture of Maduro reveals Russia’s weakness

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
The US capture of Maduro reveals Russia’s weakness

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
The US capture of Maduro reveals Russia’s weakness

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

Jan 5, 2026

The US capture of Maduro reveals Russia’s weakness

By John E. Herbst

The Kremlin’s muted response to the Venezuelan strongman’s ouster reveals a Russia limited in its capabilities and constrained in its diplomatic leverage.

Politics & Diplomacy
Russia

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Wall Street Journal on US operation in Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

On January 4, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article titled "A New Trump Game Plan Takes Shape: Strike and Coerce." He evokes the Maduro regime's ties to US adversaries and affirms the US military's ability to operate in multiple theatres.

Defense Policy
Security & Defense

Uncategorized

Jan 5, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Bloomberg on Trump’s Venezuela strategy

By Atlantic Council

On January 4, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in a Bloomberg article titled "Trump Snatches Maduro But Leaves His Regime in Charge for Now." He explains that the Trump administration is attempting to influence the Venezuelan vice president to secure outcomes favorable to the US.

National Security
Political Reform

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Politico on the Trump administration’s Venezuela policy

By Atlantic Council

On January 3, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in a Politico article titled "The hawks are winning." He argues that widespread support for military action in Venezuela was driven less by policy conviction than by an awareness of internal power dynamics, with officials mindful of where influence resides within the White House.

Defense Policy
Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Global China Hub report featured in CNA

By Kitsch Liao, Nik Foster, Santiago Villa

On December 16th, 2025, a report by Global China Hub Associate Director Kitsch Liao and nonresident fellows Nik Foster and Santiago Villa was featured in CNA.

China
Economy & Business

Inflection Points

Jan 5, 2026

The most significant question for Trump’s America in 2026: What sticks?

By Frederick Kempe

Not every shock becomes a structure, and not every provocation determines an enduring policy change.

Politics & Diplomacy
Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 4, 2026

Gray interviewed on Bloomberg about Trump’s Venezuela policy

By Atlantic Council

On January 4, Alexander B. Gray, a GeoStrategy Initiative nonresident senior fellow, was interviewed on Bloomberg's "The China Show" about the decision to capture Nicolas Maduro. He explains that the Trump administration has redefined US core interests as inextricably linked to the Western hemisphere, and argues ousting Maduro eliminated a hostile regime and narrowed the strategic space for US adversaries.

Americas
Latin America

Dispatches

Jan 4, 2026

Venezuelan oil was the enabler, not the prize

By Landon Derentz

It will likely take years to rehabilitate the country’s energy sector and achieve a sizable increase in oil exports.

Energy & Environment
Oil and Gas

Fast Thinking

Jan 3, 2026

What to watch in a post-Maduro Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

President Donald Trump said the United States will now “run” Venezuela—but what will that mean in practice?

Democratic Transitions
Latin America

Dispatches

Jan 3, 2026

Experts react: The US just captured Maduro. What’s next for Venezuela and the region?

By Atlantic Council experts

What does the future hold for Venezuela following the US raid that removed Nicolás Maduro from power? Atlantic Council experts share their insights.

Democratic Transitions
Latin America
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Experts

Fellow

Brenda Estefan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Economy & Business Latin America

Fellow

José Manuel Restrepo

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Economy & Business English

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Jacobo Ramos Folch

Policy Manager, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Staff

Valeria Villarreal

Assistant Director

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Economy & Business English

Staff

Enrique Millán-Mejía

Senior Fellow, Economic Development

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Americas Colombia

Staff

Ilona Barrero

Project Assistant

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Colombia English
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Events

Online Event Mon, January 12, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

2026 in the Americas: Stories that may drive the news
Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Democratic Transitions Latin America