Latin America

Americas

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.

Recent analysis

Fortifying USMCA through US–Mexico investment screening coordination

Dispatches Mar 12, 2026

To succeed, Trump’s Shield of the Americas should focus on institutions as well as cartels

By Henrique Arevalo Poincot

The strongest defense is a hemisphere where institutions are resilient enough to resist and dismantle criminal networks.

Americas Central America

Dispatches Mar 2, 2026

Decapitation strikes are not enough to take on Mexico’s cartels. Here’s what else the US should do.

By Charlotte Bertrand

Strikes on cartels should be combined with greater efforts to disrupt supply and reduce substance use disorder in the United States.

Latin America Mexico

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

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

Issue Brief

Sep 17, 2026

Fortifying USMCA through US–Mexico investment screening coordination

By the US–Mexico Binational Task Force on Economic Security and Competitiveness

One of the biggest blind spots in the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement is its treatment of capital and foreign investment screening. The current review presents an opportunity to address this and build a safer North America.

Critical Infrastructure Policy Economy & Business

Report

Sep 17, 2026

New voices, old friends: How Russia targets its messaging in the Global South

By Casey Michel

The latest report in the Atlantic Council's Russia Tomorrow series examines the themes and methods that Russia uses to target audiences in the Global South.

Africa Civil Society

Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet at the Batallon Paraiso military complex in Barranquilla

Dispatches

Sep 11, 2026

What Rubio’s Latin America tour means for Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

By Atlantic Council experts

Experts look at what Rubio's tour signals about the US push for closer cooperation with Latin America's new crop of conservatives.

Americas Latin America

Issue Brief

Sep 8, 2026

Turning early alignment into a durable US-Colombia partnership

By Carolina Barco and Kevin Whitaker

One month into President Abelardo de la Espriella’s administration, early alignment with the Trump administration creates an opening to strengthen US-Colombia cooperation on security, trade and investment, regional stability, and Venezuela’s recovery.

Americas Colombia

Dispatches

Sep 4, 2026

How the US can support Colombia’s post-earthquake recovery—for the long term

By Enrique Millán-Mejía and Raúl González-Pietrogiovanna

The United States has a chance to support Colombia’s path to recovery in a way that strengthens resilience and reinforces one of its most important partnerships in the region.

Colombia Crisis Management

Dispatches

Sep 4, 2026

Brazil’s debt crisis reveals a progressive spending paradox

By Adam Goldsmith

Evidence is growing that those most in need of state support bear the risk of an unsustainable spending policy.

Brazil Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Sep 2, 2026

Strengthening state presence in Colombia’s conflict-affected territories

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Colombia's new president has made restoring state authority in the country's conflict-affected territories a central priority as armed groups compete to control communities and economies. In the wake of the August 10 earthquake, the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition outlines how Colombia, with US support, can build lasting state presence.

Americas Colombia

Dispatches

Sep 1, 2026

How the US–Canada trade dispute is seen in Mexico

By Brenda Estefan

For Mexico, the US–Canada trade rupture is neither a model to emulate nor a warning against confronting Trump. It is a window into the USMCA negotiations ahead.

Americas Mexico

EnergySource

Sep 1, 2026

Four questions on the US-Venezuelan oil deal

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

The impact of the "historic" oil deal between the US and Venezuela will remain uncertain until several unresolved issues are addressed.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Econographics

Aug 25, 2026

Maritime trade routes are under threat—and markets still underprice the risks

By Alex Mills

Conflict, climate change, and geopolitical tensions are putting unprecedented pressure on the world's most important waterways. The economic costs are set to ripple far beyond the shipping industry.

Central America Economy & Business

Experts

Staff

Olivia Torres

Project Assistant

Artificial Intelligence Latin America

Staff

Ignacio Albe

Assistant Director

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Argentina Latin America

Fellow

Vladimir Antikarov

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Critical Infrastructure Policy Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Pablo Arcuri

Program Lead, Safety of Journalists, Free Press Unlimited

Millennium Leadership Program

Latin America Media

Fellow

Henrique Arevalo Poincot

Nonresident 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

Events

Online Event Tue, September 22, 2026 • 2:00 pm ET

Bringing US investment to Latin America’s growth agenda

Caribbean Economy & Business Latin America

Online Event Mon, September 28, 2026 • 12:30 pm ET

Building a US technology strategy for the Global South

Africa China Latin America Middle East

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Issue briefs and reports

Fast Thinking

Dispatches

Inflection Points

UkraineAlert

MENASource

Econographics

Latin America

Recent analysis

To succeed, Trump’s Shield of the Americas should focus on institutions as well as cartels

Decapitation strikes are not enough to take on Mexico’s cartels. Here’s what else the US should do.

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

Programs

Content

Fortifying USMCA through US–Mexico investment screening coordination

New voices, old friends: How Russia targets its messaging in the Global South

What Rubio’s Latin America tour means for Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

Turning early alignment into a durable US-Colombia partnership

How the US can support Colombia’s post-earthquake recovery—for the long term

Brazil’s debt crisis reveals a progressive spending paradox

Strengthening state presence in Colombia’s conflict-affected territories

How the US–Canada trade dispute is seen in Mexico

Four questions on the US-Venezuelan oil deal

Maritime trade routes are under threat—and markets still underprice the risks

Experts

Olivia Torres

Ignacio Albe

Vladimir Antikarov

Pablo Arcuri

Henrique Arevalo Poincot

Iliyana Arnaudova

Events

Bringing US investment to Latin America’s growth agenda

Building a US technology strategy for the Global South

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