Is the Trump Administration's 'Donroe' Doctrine Transforming Relations with Latin America?

About this episode

This episode discusses the impact of the Trump administration's policies on US relations with Latin America, focusing on Cuba and Venezuela amidst US-China competition.

Following Washington's emphasis on the Western Hemisphere in its 2025 National Security Strategy, this episode examines Cuba, Venezuela and the intensifying US-China competition in Latin America. In this episode, Neil Melvin is joined by Dr Brian Fonseca, Director of the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy at Florida International University, and Dr Carlos Solar, Senior Research Fellow for Latin American Security at RUSI, to assess how the Trump administration's 'America First' strategy is reshaping security and geopolitics across the Americas, and what the shift means for regional stability and US global priorities. This discussion explores: · The elevation of the Western Hemisphere to the top tier of US national security priorities. · Cuba's re-emergence as a strategic concern, including energy pressure, migration controls and intelligence considerations. · Venezuela's uncertain transition following US intervention and the risks of proxy competition. · The expansion of bilateral security agreements and US military deployments in the Caribbean basin. · The implications of this hemispheric focus for US alliances and global commitments. · Whether Latin America is becoming…

People in this episode

Host: Neil Melvin

Guests: Dr Brian Fonseca, Dr Carlos Solar

Topics covered

• US foreign policy
• Latin America relations
• Cuba
• Venezuela
• US-China competition
• national security strategy

Keywords

• Trump administration
• America First
• national security
• geopolitics
• regional stability
• US alliances
• military deployments

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Florida International University, RUSI

Places: Cuba, Venezuela, United States, Latin America, Western Hemisphere

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