The Monroe Doctrine and Venezuela

The Monroe Doctrine And Venezuela

January 5, 2026

Kamaraj IAS Academy

Prelims Plus

Historical Context: Established in 1823 by U.S. President James Monroe, the doctrine stated that any intervention by European powers in the Americas would be viewed as a hostile act against the U.S.
Current Application: The 2026 U.S. action against Venezuela (including the capture of President Maduro) has been justified by invoking a modernized version of this doctrine.
The "Trump Corollary": The administration argues that the presence of "foreign adversaries" (China, Russia, Iran) in Venezuela's oil and military sectors violates the core principle that the Western Hemisphere is the U.S.'s primary sphere of influence.
Geopolitical Impact: This marks a shift back to unilateralism and "Great Power" competition, challenging the sovereignty of Latin American nations and affecting global oil markets.