Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Since the turn of the century, reforms in Brazil have lifted nearly thirty million citizens out of poverty and targeted social inequality. A champion of regional growth and an influential actor in world politics, Brazil’s future is tied to continued efforts to revitalize its economy and its role on the global stage.

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center’s Caribbean Initiative seeks to accelerate the region’s strategic importance as a key partner for the United States. Announced in September 2020, this initiative brings increased recognition to the importance of the Caribbean amid vast hemispheric and global challenges. Establishment of the Caribbean program comes at an historic, defining moment for the region as it battles the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Colombia and the United States have consolidated a close and mutually-beneficial partnership over the past twenty years. Plan Colombia, a bipartisan foreign policy success, laid the foundation for a strategic alliance that has widened to include sustainable development, trade, hemispheric security, and human rights. Today, Colombia is positioning itself as a leader in the region and the world.

Mexico is one of the United States’ top trading partners. The relationship is special. Although ties between the two countries are solid, our partnership today faces important challenges, including rapidly changing political landscapes, shifting economic winds, shared security threats, and a migration crisis extending from Central America.

An unprecedented wave of irregular migration has brought renewed US and international attention to Central America. Rampant corruption, violence, and lack of economic opportunities have forced thousands to flee in search of a better future. As a new political landscape emerges in the region, the challenge remains: improving the living conditions for citizens. US support is critical to address that challenge.

Once a thriving democracy, Venezuela today is in one of its darkest times in history. Years of economic mismanagement, cronyism, and democratic erosion, further fueled by hyperinflation, power cuts, and shortages of food and medicine, have triggered a humanitarian and migration crisis with reverberations across Latin America and beyond. A peaceful democratic transition will remain as the top priority – and the first step – toward a more prosperous future for Venezuelans and the hemisphere.

As the region navigates an evolving relationship with China and with other international actors, a nuanced, up-to-date understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved will be critical, especially at a time of growing global economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

Through purposeful and thought-provoking strategy sessions, reports, and live conversations, #ProactiveLAC guides policy idea generation among key stakeholders on how to advance economic reactivation and prosperity across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center’s work on gender equality and diversity advances the implementation of policies that accelerate women’s full economic participation and increase women’s representation in political and corporate leadership positions.

On October 17, Venezuela’s government and members of the opposition signed a deal to work toward making next year’s presidential elections more free and fair. Sanctions relief could be next.

In Guyana, 55 percent of women reported having experienced at least one form of violence, including intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual abuse.

On October 15, Noboa was elected Ecuador’s next president, beating out Luisa González, a protégé of former President Rafael Correa.

Caribbean countries are in desperate need of an energy transition. Disproportionately high electricity costs impede economic development, stress public finance budgets, and harm the competitiveness of tourism and other industries.

A public event with Francisco Palmieri and a panel exploring what’s next for Venezuela.

A discussion with Bernardo Arevalo, Guatemalan presidential candidate, on his priorities and vision for the country in the years ahead.