Donald Trump has revived the traditional US doctrine of treating the Western Hemisphere as a strategic priority zone that rejects rival powers, according to an analysis by journalist Federico Rampini. Writing for Corriere della Sera, Rampini reported that this updated posture, dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine” by the administration, aims to reassert American dominance from the Panama Canal to Venezuela, while exerting pressure on Mexico over drug cartels and issuing warnings to Colombia.
According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, cited in the report, Washington intends to prevent the hemisphere from becoming an operational base for narcotraffickers, China, Russia, or Hezbollah. This approach mirrors historical interventions across both Democratic and Republican administrations, ranging from the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion under President John F. Kennedy to operations during the presidencies of Ronald Reagan in Grenada and George H.W. Bush in Panama.
Security Crises and the Demand for Order
The political shift toward the right across Latin America stems largely from domestic pressures rather than simple emulation of Washington, according to Rampini’s analysis. Latin America and the Caribbean account for less than one-tenth of the global population yet concentrate a third of all global homicides. Modern organized crime groups no longer focus solely on trafficking toward the United States and Europe; they control ports, illegal mines, extortion rings, migrant smuggling, and entire territorial enclaves, turning the region into a domestic drug market.
This deteriorating security environment has driven public demand for severe law-and-order policies. In Ecuador, cities and prisons have transformed into battlegrounds, while Chile has experienced a dramatic rise in public anxiety over crime. In El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele achieved a steep drop in homicides through mass arrests, a state of emergency, and the suspension of certain constitutional guarantees. While carrying high democratic costs, these measures resonated with citizens who saw state control restored to neighborhoods previously run by gangs. Consequently, voters increasingly prioritize public safety over traditional ideological divides, challenging left-wing parties that historically emphasized social guarantees and inequality rather than immediate policing.
Economic Stagnation and the Fall of Regional Models
Economic headwinds have further eroded support for incumbent left-wing governments. The World Bank projects regional economic growth for 2026 at approximately 2.1 percent, constrained by weak investments, high debt burdens, and a shortage of quality jobs. Although leftist movements initially benefited from the commodity super-cycle driven by Chinese demand, subsequent years brought inflation, administrative inefficiency, and corruption scandals that weakened administrations from Brazil to Cuba.
The collapse of Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro dealt a severe blow to the regional left, transforming a former ideological symbol into a cautionary tale. Millions of refugees have fled the country, altering domestic politics across Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. Meanwhile, Cuba’s persistent economic struggles—marked by severe infrastructure blackouts, rationing, and agricultural unproductivity—continue despite decades of official assertions blaming the US embargo.
Geopolitical Rivalries and Chinese Expansion
Despite the broader conservative shift, major nations like Mexico and Brazil remain under left-leaning leadership, with presidents Claudia Sheinbaum and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pursuing pragmatic relations with Washington. Over the past two decades, China has emerged as a dominant economic force in the region, purchasing vast quantities of soy, copper, lithium, and oil while financing infrastructure and mining supply chains.
However, recent US diplomatic and economic pressure has successfully challenged Beijing’s footprint in specific sectors, according to Rampini’s report. Panama withdrew from Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative and reassessed Chinese port terminal operators following direct warnings from Washington regarding the strategic military importance of the Panama Canal. Furthermore, the removal of Maduro demonstrated that neither Russia nor China could secure a primary regional ally against coordinated American intervention.
Did You Know?
According to data cited in the analysis, Latin America and the Caribbean account for less than a tenth of the world’s population but register roughly a third of all global homicides, fueling a widespread public demand for strict law-and-order governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Donroe Doctrine”?
The “Donroe Doctrine” is a modern political term used to describe Donald Trump’s reinvigoration of the original 1823 Monroe Doctrine, asserting strategic dominance and zero tolerance for rival powers within the Western Hemisphere.
How have Latin American security conditions changed?
Organized crime has expanded beyond traditional drug trafficking to control local ports, illegal mining operations, and territory, pushing homicide rates in the region to one-third of the global total.
Why are left-wing governments losing support in the region?
Voters have increasingly turned away from leftist administrations due to persistent economic stagnation, high inflation, corruption, and an inability to control rising violent crime.
What role does China play in Latin America?
China is a major economic partner for the region, heavily investing in commodities like lithium, copper, and oil, as well as funding large-scale infrastructure projects through initiatives like the Belt and Road program.
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