Original Author: Zhou Zhiwei
Zhou Zhiwei, a researcher at the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, analyzes the impacts of U.S. policy in Latin America, positing that the United States has adopted a more interventionist and aggressive approach under President Trump’s second term, which conflicts with Latin American countries’ core interests in security and development. He argues that U.S. policy in the region has led to increased political, economic, and regional security risks. Zhou concludes that the aggressive U.S. approach to the region may result in short-term gains, but the “new Monroe Doctrine” under Trump will ultimately lead to an increase in anti-American sentiment and strategic autonomy of Latin American countries as they reject U.S. influence.
This is one of six pieces published by the journal of Contemporary International Relations following an academic seminar titled “U.S. Military Action Against Venezuela and Its Impacts.” The other five pieces are also available on the Interpret: China platform. The journal is published by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), a Chinese think tank affiliated with the Ministry of State Security.
Zhou Zhiwei, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, traces the evolution of the U.S. Monroe Doctrine and examines its implications for contemporary China-Latin America relations. He argues that while the doctrine initially emphasized mutual non-interference, it has evolved into a tool of U.S. hegemony centered on security, dominance, and alliance building in the Western Hemisphere. He contends that in his second term, Trump has employed a coercive, securitized application of the doctrine, increasing pressure on Latin America and seeking to constrain China-Latin America cooperation. Despite these challenges, Zhou concludes that China-Latin America cooperation will continue to expand due to Latin America’s growing autonomy, economic complementarity with China, and the shared interests of the Global South.
This is one of five pieces published by the Journal of Latin American Studies as part of a compendium titled “The ‘New Monroe Doctrine’ and China-U.S.-Latin America Relations.” The other four pieces are also available on the Interpret: China platform.