Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Donroe Doctrine and US Intervention in Venezuela
The Donroe Doctrine is a new term used by the US government to describe how they want to control and influence countries in the Americas.
It's based on an old rule called the Monroe Doctrine, which said that Europe shouldn't try to control countries in the Americas.
The Donroe Doctrine is like an updated version of this rule, with a focus on making sure the US is the most powerful country in the Americas and getting what it wants, like oil and other important things.
The US recently invaded Venezuela and captured its president, Nicolas Maduro, using this doctrine as a reason.
Some people, like scholars and experts, think this is not a good idea because it goes against international law and could cause problems for smaller countries in the Americas.
They also think it could lead to other powerful countries, like China and Russia, doing the same thing in their own areas.
Not everyone agrees with this approach, and some think it could cause problems for the US and the rest of the world.
The Donroe Doctrine is a Trumpian twist on the Monroe Doctrine, emphasizing US pre-eminence and economic interests in the Western Hemisphere.
The doctrine justifies aggressive pursuit of resources beneficial to US interests, from Greenland's minerals to Venezuelan oil.
The US recently invaded Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro, invoking the Donroe Doctrine to justify the intervention.
Scholars and experts argue that the invocation of the Monroe Doctrine is irrelevant to the US invasion of Venezuela, as there is no external, non-American threat.
The revival of the doctrine signals a return to an older world order, benefiting US rivals like China and Russia, and leading to regional instability and renewed great-power rivalry.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump and his administration, along with global scholars and experts.
- What
- The invocation of the Donroe Doctrine, an update to the Monroe Doctrine, to justify US intervention in Venezuela.
- When
- The term gained prominence in 2025 with the publication of the Trump administration's national security strategy and the recent military operation in Venezuela.
- Where
- The Western Hemisphere, with potential implications globally.
- Why
- To enforce US interests, expand influence, and roll back foreign influence in the region, while scholars and experts debate the relevance and implications of the doctrine.
US Administration
Global Scholars and Experts
Relevance of the Monroe Doctrine
US Administration
The Trump administration believes the Donroe Doctrine, an update to the Monroe Doctrine, justifies US intervention in Venezuela to protect its national interests and maintain regional hegemony.
Global Scholars and Experts
Scholars argue that the invocation of the Monroe Doctrine is irrelevant to the US invasion of Venezuela, as there is no external, non-American threat, and the US disregarded Venezuela's sovereignty based on national interest alone.
Interpretation of the Doctrine
US Administration
The administration views the doctrine as a means to maintain US pre-eminence and economic interests in the Western Hemisphere, justifying aggressive pursuit of resources and intervention in Latin American countries.
Global Scholars and Experts
Experts argue that the doctrine's meaning has been contested and reinterpreted over time, often serving as a justification for US imperialism and intervention in Latin America without the presence of an external threat.
Global Implications
US Administration
The administration sees the doctrine as a way to protect US interests and maintain stability in the region, potentially benefiting from a world carved into spheres of influence.
Global Scholars and Experts
Scholars warn that the revival of the doctrine signals a return to an older world order, benefiting US rivals like China and Russia, and leading to regional instability, renewed great-power rivalry, and domestic backlash in the United States.
- Monroe Doctrine
- A US foreign policy principle established in 1823, warning against European colonization in the Americas.
- Roosevelt Corollary
- A 1904 addition to the Monroe Doctrine, sanctioning US interference in Latin American countries.
- Donroe Doctrine
- A Trumpian twist on the Monroe Doctrine, emphasizing US pre-eminence and economic interests in the Western Hemisphere.
- Trump Corollary
- An addition to the Monroe Doctrine, aiming to expand US influence and roll back foreign influence in the region.
- Key Targets
- Greenland, Iran, Cuba, Colombia, Canada, and the Panama Canal.
- Operation Absolute Resolve
- The US military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro.
- Rules-Based International Order
- An international order based on the rules enshrined in the United Nations Charter of 1945, emphasizing sovereignty, self-determination, multilateralism, and international law.