Tendai Keith Guvamombe
In a bold reassertion of 19th-century geopolitical strategy, US President Donald Trump has officially revived the Monroe Doctrine, declaring the Western Hemisphere an exclusive sphere of American influence.
This strategic pivot, recently formalized in the latest US National Security Strategy, signals a sharp escalation in tensions as Washington moves to dismantle the growing presence of China, Russia, and Iran in the region.
The revival—now being dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine” by some and the “Trump Corollary” by others—was dramatically punctuated on January 3, 2026, when US special forces conducted a military operation in Caracas to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In a press conference following the raid, Trump reaffirmed that “American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again.”The “Trump Corollary” and ChinaThe centerpiece of this policy is the Trump Corollary, which explicitly targets the ownership of key assets by “hostile foreign incursions.”
While the original 1823 doctrine was designed to keep European colonial powers out, Trump’s version is an unmistakable strike against Beijing’s economic footprint.
The strategy emphasizes that the hemisphere must remain free of foreign control over critical supply chains and strategic locations, such as the Panama Canal.Venezuela: The Front Line of the New DoctrineThe most immediate impact is being felt in Venezuela. Reports from ABC News and CNN indicate that the Trump administration is demanding the interim Venezuelan government cut all economic and diplomatic ties with China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba.
This “exclusive partnership” with the US is a prerequisite for Venezuela being allowed to resume large-scale oil production.As the US moves to re-route Venezuelan crude to American refineries, the world is watching closely.
The revival of the Monroe Doctrine suggests that the Trump administration is prepared to use both economic lawfare and military power to ensure that “America First” means “America Only” in the Western Hemisphere.
