Latin America

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.

Explore

Recent analysis

A deadly earthquake gives Colombia’s new president his first test

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
A deadly earthquake gives Colombia’s new president his first test

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
A deadly earthquake gives Colombia’s new president his first test

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.

Learn more

Content

Dispatches

Aug 12, 2026

A deadly earthquake gives Colombia’s new president his first test

By Jason Marczak

CALI, Colombia—Most elected officials enter office with an agenda for a better future, and most want to get to work implementing it immediately. Sooner or later, however, that agenda must compete with the urgent, unexpected demands of the present. For newly minted Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, the time between being sworn in and […]

Colombia Elections

Report

Aug 11, 2026

Mapeo de la inversión estadounidense en América Latina y el Caribe

By Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, Martin Cassinelli

Las inversiones de China en América Latina y el Caribe acaparan los titulares pero, aunque Estados Unidos ha sido durante mucho tiempo el mayor inversionista de la región, se sabe menos sobre hacia dónde van sus inversiones. Nuevos datos muestran qué países y sectores reciben la mayor inversión estadounidense, y cómo esa inversión afecta a las economías locales.

Economy & Business Latin America

Dispatches

Aug 7, 2026

Abelardo de la Espriella takes office in Colombia with a head start in Washington

By Jason Marczak

The new Colombian president and his US counterpart should seize the opportunity to reset the long-term bilateral relationship.

Colombia Economy & Business

Dispatches

Aug 4, 2026

Three charts on how Latin American central banks are diverging on inflation

By Enrique Millán-Mejía and Raúl González-Pietrogiovanna

Governments that cannot raise more revenue and will not trim commitments end up borrowing, and the pressure lands back on their central banks.

Americas Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Jul 29, 2026

Reversing Mexico’s economic and democratic decline

By Vanessa Rubio-Márquez

Now classified as a "low freedom" country in the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes, Mexico must reverse its institutional erosion to advance long-term prosperity. The lens of the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes offers an opportunity to overcome polarization and chart a path forward with fact-based analysis.

Economy & Business Freedom and Prosperity

Dispatches

Jul 29, 2026

Colombia’s next president wants to work with the US. Here’s how Washington should respond.

By Enrique Millán-Mejía and Raúl González-Pietrogiovanna

The Trump administration can support the next phase of the relationship by presenting a real alternative to Chinese financing for critical projects.

Colombia Economy & Business

Econographics

Jul 23, 2026

Mexico can turn USMCA pressure into an industrial opportunity

By Ernesto Stein, Phil Lovegren

Mexico’s record exports mask an uncomfortable reality: its fastest-growing industry—data processing machines—relies overwhelmingly on Asian inputs. A carefully redesigned USMCA could help the country move up the value chain.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Dispatches

Jul 23, 2026

How the US should respond to Ortega declaring no more elections in Nicaragua

By Juan Sebastian Chamorro and Maria Fernanda Bozmoski

The dictator is wagering that the Nicaraguan opposition will fragment and Washington will respond with words but no new actions.

Americas Central America

Report

Jul 22, 2026

Mapping US investment in Latin America and the Caribbean

By Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, Martin Cassinelli

China’s investments in Latin America and the Caribbean grab headlines, but though the US has long been the region’s largest investor less is known about where its investments go. New data shows which countries and sectors receive the most US investment, and how that investment affects local economies.

Economy & Business Latin America

Dispatches

Jul 22, 2026

Upcoming Venezuela negotiations are an opportunity for the US to lock in a victory

By Jason Marczak, Geoff Ramsey

As Venezuela’s interim government and opposition representatives prepare for talks, the Trump administration can help to steer the course.

Democratic Transitions Latin America
Load More

Experts

Staff

Olivia Torres

Project Assistant

Artificial Intelligence Latin America

Staff

Ignacio Albe

Assistant Director

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Argentina Latin America

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
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
Load More