Don-roe Doctrine

Following the early-morning capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed a press conference, describing the operation as consistent with the Monroe Doctrine, a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy for over two centuries.

‘Don-roe Doctrine’ and U.S. Pre-eminence
President Trump introduced a re-framed version of the doctrine — dubbed the “Don-roe Doctrine” — arguing that it goes beyond the traditional framework to justify actions aimed at “restoring American pre-eminence in the Western Hemisphere.” The White House later described the approach as a “Trump Corollary” to the original doctrine.

Origins of the Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine, named after James Monroe, the 5th President of the United States, was articulated in 1823. Initially, it was a largely symbolic declaration opposing new or expanding European colonial influence in the Americas after centuries of European domination in the region.

From Symbolism to Intervention
Over time, the doctrine evolved into a central pillar of U.S. policy toward Latin America, framing South and Central America as a strategic U.S. sphere of influence rather than one open to European powers. Critics, including academics and policymakers, have argued that the doctrine has frequently been used to justify U.S. interventions in the region.

Roosevelt Corollary and Policy Expansion
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt expanded the doctrine through the Roosevelt Corollary, asserting the U.S. right to intervene in the Americas under certain conditions, particularly to prevent instability or foreign intervention.

Trump Corollary and Current Strategy
According to the Trump administration’s national security strategy, the newly articulated Trump Corollary seeks to reassert U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere, combat drug trafficking, and counter anti-U.S. powers operating in the region. The administration has framed the capture of Maduro as aligned with these objectives.