Reference News Network January 11 report: The bi-monthly publication "Russia in Global Politics" website on January 7 published an article titled "How Trump Is Fueling the Radicalization of Latin America," authored by Oleg Krayev, a副博士 in philosophy. The content is compiled as follows:
The U.S. government's attempt to forcefully control Venezuelan President Maduro through a surprise operation demonstrates its determination to implement its National Security Strategy, which contains a more hardened version of Monroeism than previous versions. It can now be firmly stated that the U.S. aggressive actions against this South American country will have long-term effects on the geopolitical landscape of Latin America and even the world.
The U.S. efforts to frame public opinion for this action are full of loopholes. Trump is not known for political correctness, and in the context of intense public attention surrounding this action, he has made consecutive statements. Trump's threatening remarks toward Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba, as well as the photo of the U.S. president posted by the U.S. State Department on the social media platform X with the slogan "This is our hemisphere," have strong incitement effects on public opinion.
Previously, U.S. forces violently expelled Latin American immigrants in small boats in the Caribbean Sea. A series of actions have raised questions: Does the White House value the dignity, rights, and lives of Latin American people at all?
Trump's hegemonic and belligerent rhetoric since January 3 has further clearly demonstrated that, for the United States, Latin American countries are not equal partners. The facade of equal dialogue only exists when the governments of Latin American countries pursue policies that align with the interests of the White House.
The history of U.S. interventionism and colonialism remains a sensitive issue in the hearts of Latin Americans. Trump's act of trampling on the dignity of the Latin American nations may actually pave the way for political figures in Latin America who, even if they do not openly oppose the U.S., at least emphasize the implementation of independent policies. At the same time, the emergence of the new Monroeism and the actions and words of U.S. leaders put Latin American politicians who have always followed the U.S. and regard the U.S. as their priority partner in a dilemma. The national self-esteem of Latin American voters is thus severely damaged, and their anger is more about their own and their country's dignity than about Maduro. This inevitably leads to doubts among the public about a number of political figures: Argentina's Javier Milei, Bolivia's Rodrigo Paz Estenssoro, Chile's Jose Antonio Kast, and right-wing opposition candidates running in the 2026 elections in Colombia and Brazil, can their advocated "partnership" with the U.S. coexist with the demands of maintaining national sovereignty and pursuing independent policies?
The U.S. military action was very rapid, and after it ended, the troops quickly withdrew from Venezuela, which precisely indicates that the U.S. fears getting bogged down there and is worried about unpredictable reactions from local societies to foreign military occupation.
If the U.S. makes interference a routine practice, frequently supporting pro-American regimes to come to power, the nationalism and anti-American waves in Latin America may trigger a new wave of guerrilla movements - such movements were widespread in Latin America in the last century. Even today, many countries in the region still have various armed groups.
For those external major powers that do not agree with the idea that "Latin America is the U.S. sphere of influence," they should prepare themselves for the possibility of political and social turmoil and the rise of radical organizations in the Western Hemisphere.
The relevant provisions of the U.S. National Security Strategy regarding Latin America, as well as how Trump implemented them, will inevitably affect the situation in Latin America. At the same time, this also creates opportunities for the relevant parties to hinder Washington's effective control over the Western Hemisphere. (Translated by Zhao Zhipeng)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7594018604526354971/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.