The Guardian View on the New Monroe Doctrine: Trump's Forceful Approach to the Western Hemisphere Comes at a Cost
In 2025, The Guardian frames former President Trump's policy shift as a Monroe Doctrine-style reorientation aimed at reviving US influence in the Americas. This approach includes potential military moves such as not ruling out action to seize Greenland, exploring the possibility of making Canada the 51st state, threatening to seize the Panama Canal, imposing tariffs, and possibly abandoning the USMCA trade agreement.
The Trump administration is accused of meddling in elections in Honduras and Argentina, seeking to influence Brazil’s justice system, and sanctioning Colombia's president in October. It has also launched deadly anti-smuggling operations at sea, designated traffickers as terrorists, and threatened military strikes on Mexico, Venezuela, and other countries.
In a show of force, the US positioned a large naval presence off Venezuela, seized oil tankers, and reportedly gave Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro an ultimatum. A $50 million bounty was placed on Maduro, while Trump pardoned former Honduran president Hernández. Despite these efforts, a past attempt to oust Maduro in 2019 after recognizing Juan Guaidó failed, and alleged CIA drone strikes targeted a Venezuelan port facility.
Analysts describe this approach as a revived "Trump Corollary" that seeks to extend US power with allies and retool the military footprint in the region. However, internal divisions persist, with diplomats like Grenell engaging in talks with Maduro and hawkish figures such as Senator Rubio advocating for a tough stance on Latin America.
China's growing influence in Latin America is highlighted, as it has become the region’s largest trading partner while the US remains the largest foreign investor. Argentina's Milei won the presidency with the support of a $40 billion bailout conditional on his victory, and Mexico faces pressure toward closer US security arrangements. Meanwhile, Europe-Latin America ties and the Mercosur trade deal remain unsettled.
The piece warns that increased US forcefulness risks triggering a regional backlash and increased migration. It suggests that Europe should prioritise strengthening ties with Latin America to balance these developments.
