Washington Pivots to the Donroe Doctrine in Latin America

Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy chief, outlined a framework centered on aggressive counter-narcotics operations and a clear objective to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power. By embedding joint defense strategies with nations like Ecuador, the administration seeks to align regional military cooperation with domestic American security priorities.

Colby pushed back against characterizations of the policy as a revival of old-guard imperialism, framing the move as an effort to foster local empowerment. The strategy relies on shifting the financial burden of regional stability onto Latin American partners, urging governments to significantly ramp up their own defense spending. This geopolitical realignment arrives as a wave of right-leaning administrations takes power across the region, creating a window for the Trump administration to solidify its vision for the Americas.