The Americas Quarterly Podcast What the Trump Doctrine Means for Latin America
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Dec 11, 2025 In this discussion, Ricardo Zúniga, a former principal advisor for the Americas to President Obama and now a strategic advisor, dives into the implications of Trump's National Security Strategy. He outlines the doctrine's focus on migration, crime, and a more assertive U.S. presence in Latin America, contrasting it with previous policies. Zúniga highlights the revival of the Monroe Doctrine and the push to counter China’s influence, sparking debates on U.S. intervention in regional elections and the shifting dynamics of trade, particularly through nearshoring.
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Latin America As Domestic Policy
- The Trump doctrine treats Latin America as domestic U.S. policy, prioritizing migration and organized crime control.
- It emphasizes bilateral deals, personalist diplomacy, and excluding rivals like China from the hemisphere.
Spheres Of Influence, Not Competition
- The National Security Strategy establishes spheres of influence, reshaping U.S. alliances toward accommodation among great powers.
- This reorganizes U.S. power and explains the large naval presence in the Southern Caribbean.
Monroe Doctrine Revived
- The strategy explicitly invokes the Monroe Doctrine to deny non-hemispheric competitors strategic assets in the region.
- Military posture and economic pressure are being used to constrain Chinese influence across ports, minerals, and telecoms.