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LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

December 19, 2025

What Does Trump’s Security Strategy Mean for the Region?

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump recently released an updated national security strategy that prioritizes U.S. military and economic pre-eminence in the Western Hemisphere. // File Photo: White House via Flickr PDM 1.0.

Q

  • The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump on Dec. 4 released a document outlining its national security strategy. In part, it aims “to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere,” emphasizing migration management, security cooperation and counter-narcotics priorities. The document also introduces the “Trump Corollary” to the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which underscores a more interest-driven posture in dealings with regional partners. What does the strategy document indicate about the administration’s objectives in Latin America and the Caribbean? How are countries in the region likely to respond? What could the mention of non-hemispheric competitors, particularly China, mean for regional governments navigating ties with both Washington and Beijing?

A

Maureen Mayer, vice president for programs at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA): “The new national security strategy puts on paper what we have already seen in actions throughout this year: that Latin America is a top priority for the Trump administration and that it views the region as its sphere of influence and action. Gone are the days, however, when promoting democracy and human rights were considered fundamental U.S. foreign policy objectives, even if inconsistently applied, or when the United States acted in partnership with the international community to address global issues such as sustainable development or climate change. The Trump administration will act to protect and promote its perceived interests, and these interests are increasingly focused on the Western Hemisphere. With the strategy, including a greater U.S. military presence in the region, the administration…”

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The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.
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