Lawmaker Pushes Revival of Monroe Doctrine to Counter China and Cartels in Latin America

A member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs is calling for the United States to revive the Monroe Doctrine as a framework for countering Chinese influence and criminal networks across Latin America, according to an opinion piece published by Fox News.

The 19th-century doctrine, established under President James Monroe, held that the security of the United States is tied directly to the security of the Western Hemisphere. The lawmaker argues that principle should guide current policy, citing moves by the Trump administration to deepen military and intelligence cooperation with regional partners.

Among the steps cited is the deployment of elements of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division to Panama for jungle training and joint exercises, part of what the administration calls the Shield of the Americas initiative. The piece frames this as a way to help partner nations dismantle drug-trafficking networks and disrupt smuggling routes before narcotics reach the United States.

The administration has also shifted MQ-9 Reaper drones from U.S. Africa Command to U.S. Southern Command to support surveillance operations in Colombia and Ecuador, according to the op-ed, which says the aircraft are intended to track trafficking networks across jungles, borders and maritime routes.

China’s footprint in the region

The lawmaker describes a recent congressional delegation trip to Ecuador, Peru and Colombia, during which members observed what they describe as China’s expanding economic and strategic presence through investments in ports, mining and other infrastructure.

One example highlighted is the Port of Chancay in Peru, a deep-water port built and operated by Chinese state-owned COSCO. The piece argues that while the port could boost trade between South America and Asia, Chinese control of the infrastructure raises concerns about potential intelligence collection or future military use.

During the Peru visit, the delegation met with U.S. Ambassador Bernie Navarro, who the op-ed says has coordinated with Peruvian defense officials and Southern Command commander General Francis Donovan on efforts against narcoterrorist organizations operating in the Valle de los Ríos Apurímac, Ene y Mantaro region, known as VRAEM.

Call for accountability

The lawmaker, writing in their capacity on the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees State Department funding, argues that U.S. foreign assistance should be judged by concrete results, including whether partner nations contribute their share and whether programs measurably advance American security interests. The piece calls for cutting programs deemed wasteful and redirecting resources toward initiatives tied to countering Chinese influence and dismantling criminal networks.

The op-ed concludes that strengthening regional partners, rather than acting unilaterally, is consistent with an “America First” approach, and that a secure Western Hemisphere is essential to U.S. national security.