Why the U.S. “Donroe Doctrine” Is a Major Blow to China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba

Posted on 01/08/26 at 22:16

• The Donroe Doctrine signals an aggressive turn in Trump’s foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere
• The United States captured Nicolás Maduro and advanced an agreement to manage Venezuelan oil
• China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba face a scenario of declining influence in the region

The recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the announcement of an agreement to manage millions of barrels of oil have once again placed the United States at the center of the Latin American geopolitical chessboard.

The operation was presented by Donald Trump as part of a renewed hemispheric strategy that breaks with decades of diplomatic containment and reopens the debate over the real scope of US power in the region and its global consequences.

The Donroe Doctrine: The Return of US Interventionism?

The so-called Donroe Doctrine is Donald Trump’s reinterpretation of the historic 19th-century Monroe Doctrine.

Under this vision, the United States reserves the right to act unilaterally to protect its strategic interests in Latin America, even through the use of force.

This is OUR Hemisphere, and President Trump will not allow our security to be threatened. pic.twitter.com/SXvI868d4Z

— Department of State (@StateDept) January 5, 2026

During a press conference following Maduro’s capture, Trump stated that the Western Hemisphere cannot become a base of operations for Washington’s adversaries.

This stance was reinforced by the State Department and by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who made it clear that the administration will not tolerate the presence of rival powers in the region.

This approach breaks with the past 35 years of US foreign policy, which had been marked by reduced direct intervention following the end of the Cold War.

This US Foreign Policy Is a Direct Blow to China and Russia

According to an analysis by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Maduro’s removal represented a major setback for the interests of Moscow and Beijing.

Both countries had invested heavily in Venezuela as part of a strategy to counterbalance the United States:

• Russia had institutionalized its alliance with Caracas through a Strategic Partnership Treaty signed in May, which included cooperation in defense, energy, technology, and sanctions evasion.
• China, meanwhile, extended more than $60 billion in loans to Venezuela since 2007, making it Beijing’s largest debtor in Latin America.

However, neither country intervened to prevent the US foreign policy action, exposing the real limits of their influence in the Western Hemisphere.

Oil, Sanctions, and Risks for US Companies

Trump’s foreign policy toward Venezuela places oil at its core.

Last year, China received close to 400,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan crude—more than 50% of the country’s total exports.

The US plan reportedly involves diverting up to 50 million sanctioned barrels away from China. That volume equals roughly four months of Chinese supply and about 55 days of Venezuela’s current production, estimated at 900,000 barrels per day, according to Reuters.

This scenario also poses risks for US companies. If firms such as Exxon Mobil reach agreements to exploit assets previously held by Chinese or Russian firms, they could face future legal disputes or economic retaliation from Beijing.

Impact on Mexican, Cuban, and Venezuelan Communities

For Latino communities in the US, this strategic shift is not merely a distant foreign policy issue.

Changes in control over Venezuelan oil can affect energy prices, regional economic stability, and migration flows.

“The United States is clearly pursuing an imperialist strategy, and with this ‘Donroe Doctrine’ for Latin America—especially Mexico—I believe Mexico still has cards to play,” said @leozuckermann on Tercer Grado.
Listen as well on all audio platforms. #Podcast. pic.twitter.com/tqjKuWnEkE

— NMás (@nmas) January 8, 2026

Families with ties to Venezuela, Colombia, or the Caribbean are closely watching these decisions, aware that greater instability could translate into new migration waves, increased pressure on asylum systems, and a more volatile regional environment.

Moreover, the revival of openly interventionist rhetoric brings back historical memories of past US interventions, fueling concern about the future of regional sovereignty.

What Officials Are Saying

Trump was unequivocal in defending his hemispheric approach, while the State Department publicly stated that the United States will not allow threats in its immediate regional environment.

Marco Rubio reinforced that line by arguing that the Western Hemisphere is America’s vital space and that rival powers will not be allowed to use it to challenge US security.

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What Comes Next

The long-term consequences of the Donroe Doctrine remain uncertain.

Countries such as Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba are watching closely to see whether this renewed interventionism becomes a sustained trend.

At the same time, regional leaders may seek to diversify alliances to reduce vulnerability. The balance of power in Latin America is entering a new phase shaped by the evolving Donroe Doctrine.