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From the Monroe Doctrine to the Donroe Doctrine - What are the US's Goals?

Published January 5, 2026, 13:17
From the Monroe Doctrine to the Donroe Doctrine - What are the US's Goals?

Following the operation to arrest Nicolás Maduro, US President Donald Trump introduced the term "Donroe Doctrine," a reference to the Monroe Doctrine, to describe a more assertive foreign policy. The Monroe Doctrine, articulated in 1823, aimed to prevent European interference in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere. Trump brought the Monroe Doctrine back into the forefront during the crisis in Venezuela, using it as justification for actions against the Maduro regime, which was accused of posing a security threat due to drugs, terrorism, and foreign influence. The "Donroe Doctrine" marks a transition from a defensive stance to a more proactive and unilateral approach. The new policy focuses on direct intervention to eliminate threats such as narco-terrorism, with the operation in Venezuela serving as the first example of its application. Trump stated that the US "has control" in Venezuela and that this policy could be extended to other countries. The introduction of the "Donroe Doctrine" raises concerns about international tensions, particularly with China and Russia, as it is seen as a more aggressive and unilateral approach to US foreign policy.