The Trump Administration's Revival of the Monroe Doctrine: A New Era of Intervention in Latin America

The Trump administration's recently released National Security Strategy marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, reasserting the Monroe Doctrine and introducing what is termed the "Trump Corollary." This strategy prioritizes the Western Hemisphere, particularly Latin America, as a central focus of U.S. geopolitical interests, emphasizing the need to counteract foreign influence, especially from China, and to address issues like drug trafficking and mass migration.

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Since September 2025, the U.S. military has engaged in operations in the Caribbean, targeting alleged drug-trafficking boats, resulting in the deaths of over 80 individuals. President Donald Trump has indicated that military strikes could extend to land operations in Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico. This aggressive posture is framed as necessary to protect U.S. interests and combat "narco-terrorism," despite concerns regarding the legality and humanitarian implications of these actions.

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Venezuela is particularly significant in this strategy due to its vast oil reserves and strategic location along vital shipping routes. The Trump administration views the Maduro regime as a key adversary, ideologically opposed to U.S. interests and aligned with China and Russia. The National Security Strategy suggests that Venezuela's ties with these nations pose a direct threat to U.S. security and economic interests in the region.

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The National Security Strategy articulates a clear intent to maintain U.S. preeminence in the Western Hemisphere, stating, "The United States must be preeminent in the Western Hemisphere as a condition of our security and prosperity." This approach has been met with mixed reactions, with some regional leaders expressing concern over the potential for renewed U.S. interventionism reminiscent of past military actions in Latin America.

The US plan for Latin America: The Monroe Doctrine returns, reinterpreted by Trump

Critics argue that the Trump Corollary represents a return to "gunboat diplomacy," raising fears of a new era of U.S. imperialism. Observers have noted that the strategy prioritizes military solutions over diplomatic engagement, potentially destabilizing the region further. Additionally, the pardoning of Juan Orlando Hernández, the former Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking, has drawn criticism for undermining the administration's stated commitment to combating drug-related crime.

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While the Trump administration emphasizes the need for military action to combat drug trafficking, there are discrepancies regarding the effectiveness and legality of these operations. Some experts question whether the military approach will yield the desired results or merely exacerbate tensions in the region. Furthermore, the strategy's focus on countering Chinese influence raises questions about the long-term implications for U.S.-Latin American relations.

The US plan for Latin America: The Monroe Doctrine returns, reinterpreted by Trump

The unfolding situation in Venezuela will serve as a critical test for the Trump administration's new strategy. As military operations continue, the potential for regime change in Venezuela remains a contentious issue, with implications for U.S. relations with other Latin American countries. The administration's approach may redefine alliances in the region, as countries navigate their relationships with both the U.S. and China amidst increasing geopolitical tensions.

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• “After years of neglect, the United States will reassert and enforce the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere,” — U.S. National Security Strategy

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• “Everything we’ve seen in recent months points to a kind of 2.0 gunboat diplomacy. You don’t have to think too hard to know that the Trump administration doesn’t understand what we used to call ‘soft power’ and thinks that the only power that exists is the power of force, and forcing people to choose to be on your side,” — John Walsh, Director for the Andes and Drug Policy at WOLA

The US enters a new era of interventions in Latin America

• “The United States is too late; there’s no turning back from China’s presence in Latin America.” — Jorge Heine, Former Chilean Minister and Ambassador

The US enters a new era of interventions in Latin America

This renewed focus on Latin America under the Trump administration signals a potentially transformative period in U.S. foreign policy, with far-reaching consequences for the region and beyond.

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