Latin America

Five charts that show Latin America’s search for economic growth starts in health systems

By Ignacio Albe, Enrique Millán-Mejía

Health investments could boost economic productivity significantly—if the countries direct their expenditures toward efforts that tangibly improve public health.

Experts react: Colombia’s presidential runoff pits the far right against the far left. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Abelardo de la Espriella and Iván Cepeda, who represent opposite ends of the political spectrum, will move ahead to the June 21 runoff.

US-Caribbean maritime cooperation: Why stronger ports, supply chains, and security matter now

By Maite Latorre Yerou, Patricia R. Francis

The Caribbean is not a peripheral region but a core component of the United States' economic and security environment. Its ports support US trade, its routes shape regional stability, and its infrastructure is now central to geopolitical competition.

As Russian losses mount in Ukraine, Putin seeks more foreign fighters

By Marc Goedemans, Katherine Spencer

With no end in sight to the invasion of Ukraine, Putin is looking to recruit more foreign fighters to counter heavy Russian losses while avoiding a politically risky mobilization, write Marc Goedemans and Katherine Spencer.

With the Strait of Hormuz closed, the Panama Canal is busier than ever. It should use this windfall wisely.

By María Fernanda Bozmoski, Ignacio Albe

Panama must use its revenues smartly by reinvesting in upkeep and in solutions that efficiently use the limited water resources.

Energy Sanctions Dashboard: October 2025

The October 2025 edition of the Energy Sanctions Dashboard analyzed China’s central role in the market for sanctioned oil and the techniques Russia, Iran, and Venezuela use to evade sanctions on oil.

After the Castro indictment, what is Trump’s endgame in Cuba? 

By Atlantic Council experts

The pressure campaign raises a number of urgent questions. We turned to experts in the Atlantic Council’s network for answers. 

Costa Rica’s paradox of political continuity

By María Fernanda Bozmoski

Across Latin America, voters have punished incumbents and rejected traditional parties. Costa Rica appears to be an exception.

What the EU-Mercosur trade deal’s provisional implementation means and what comes next

By Stuart Jones, Ignacio Albe

The agreement bridges two highly complementary but historically protectionist markets, offering benefits for both regions.

How the Iran war is affecting Latin America and the Caribbean’s economic outlook

By Ignacio Albe, Enrique Millán-Mejía

The data show how energy and commodity shortages are pushing inflation higher, tightening financial conditions, and slowing growth.