The Monroe Doctrine is experiencing a resurgence. As it hits its 200th anniversary this month, this time-hallowed foreign-policy doctrine is once again in the spotlight. The anniversary was overlooked by most Americans – and understandably so, given the doctrine's age and the many other pressing issues facing the nation. However, in yet another curious twist in its long history, the Monroe Doctrine, which turned 200 on Saturday, is making an unexpected political comeback.
When James Monroe addressed Congress 200 years ago, many assumed his annual message would be limited to legislative initiatives. However, his proclamation of the Monroe Doctrine set the stage for American foreign policy for the next two centuries. Representatives in Congress of Cuban-American descent are defending the Monroe Doctrine, the 200-year-old policy that treats all foreign influence in the Western Hemisphere as a threat to U.S. national security.
Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., said the U.S. must better deter Chinese, Russian, and Iranian influence in Latin America ahead of the growing threats to the region's stability. In his December 2, 1823 address to Congress, President James Monroe articulated the U.S. policy on the new political order in the Americas, declaring that the Western Hemisphere was off-limits to European colonization.
The doctrine represented the beginnings of the United States' often proprietary relationship with Latin America. But it's worth noting that at present, the Monroe Doctrine is being invoked not against European powers, but against rising influence from countries like China and Russia. Chinese influence in Latin America is growing, posing a threat to vital U.S. security interests in an underappreciated region.
The Monroe Doctrine has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, shaping America's relationships with its neighbors to the south. This policy not only sought to protect the Western Hemisphere from European intervention but also established the United States as a dominant force in the region. The doctrine has been used to justify U.S. interventions in Latin America, sometimes controversially, but has also been seen as a necessary safeguard against external threats.
As the U.S. faces increasing competition from global powers like China and Russia, the Monroe Doctrine is being revisited and reinterpreted for a new era. The rise of Chinese influence in Latin America, in particular, has raised concerns about the region's future stability and the implications for U.S. national security. The doctrine's principles of non-intervention and regional dominance continue to shape American foreign policy in the 21st century.
Overall, the Monroe Doctrine remains a significant part of U.S. history and continues to influence the nation's approach to foreign affairs. Its 200th anniversary serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of this foreign-policy doctrine and its role in shaping America's relationships with the rest of the world.
