Executive Summary
Trump’s take on the original Monroe Doctrine, named the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, or the “Donroe Doctrine”, pushes for safety in the Western Hemisphere and puts pressure on North and South American countries to regain control over cartels. Latin American countries like Colombia have elected right-leaning leaders pushing towards aggressive action against cartels, while several international organizations attempt to appease the US crackdown on drug trafficking, abiding by its policies. At the 17th Conference of Defence Ministers of the Americas, the US reaffirmed its stance on strengthening relations between Western Hemisphere states and cooperation between the Americas.
Key Points
- The US removed former Venezuelan President Maduro on January 3rd 2026. President Trump referenced the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine to account for the US’s new approach to its role in the Western Hemisphere
- Colombia elected right-leaning President De La Espriella on June 21st 2026, following leftist President Petro, who took a more diplomatic approach to cartels, which the Trump Administration opposed.
- United States companies need safety and financing to compete with China in the Western Hemisphere, which requires Latin American governments’ support. The Panama Supreme Court’s decision to void the port concession of Chinese-based CK Hutchison outraged Beijing, and China’s economic advantage in Panama slipped.
Analysis
The United States’ push for heightened security, and Latin American and Caribbean countries’ increased national security budgets, reflect a high-risk, high-reward development. Citizens of Latin American countries have recently reflected at the polls their wishes for a more aggressive approach when dealing with cartels, resulting in a boost of confidence for the United States in negotiations with international organizations such as the Organization of American States, as well as at the recent 17th Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas that had a positive outcome. The US Under Secretary of War for Policy’s claim that the US intends to pursue partnerships rather than dependent relationships strengthens diplomatic relations with Latin America and the Caribbean. Building these relationships between the US and the Western Hemisphere has given the US an economic advantage over China, which it has not held in decades.
Policy Implications
- Increase funding for the US Department of State to deploy additional diplomats in the Western Hemisphere to regain US economic footing, and maintain an economic advantage over China and strengthen security.
- Attorney General addresses current international law talks over the capture of Nicolás Maduro to establish the legality of the action, to stay in favor of the United States’ neighboring countries and to allow dependence on US intervention with cartels.
- The Panama Canal must remain neutral, and the US should allow the Panamanian government to act as it sees fit regarding the voiding of the concession of CK Hutchison’s port.
Bibliography
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