U.S. Strategy Revives Monroe Doctrine, Elevates Latin America as a Central Front

Overview

• The 2025 National Security Strategy explicitly invokes the Monroe Doctrine, declaring Latin America a “central front” and directing a repositioning of military, diplomatic and intelligence resources.
• Washington has intensified regional operations, raising the bounty for information leading to Nicolás Maduro’s capture and conducting more than 20 maritime strikes since September that U.S. officials say killed over 80 people.
• The strategy links hemispheric security to countering transnational criminal networks and to safeguarding critical infrastructure from foreign control.
• Analysts note the document omits a dedicated chapter on competition with China even as a CSIS assessment counts Chinese participation in 37 Latin American ports.
• Beijing plans to release a new policy paper on Latin America days after the U.S. rollout, as European diplomats voice concern over the strategy’s criticism of allies and reference to “civilizational erasure.”