The United States' recent military deployments near Venezuela have reignited debates about a modernized Monroe Doctrine, with Chinese analyst Sun Yanfeng warning of coercive tactics to reshape Latin America's strategic landscape. Speaking to Chinese media, Sun framed the actions as part of a broader pattern of pressure targeting Caracas and regional autonomy.
Strategic Aims and Regional Pushback
Sun, director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, identified three U.S. objectives: destabilizing President Nicolás Maduro's government, deterring regional defiance of Washington, and diverting domestic political tensions. He cited unilateral designations like the 'Cartel of the Suns' terror label as examples of security pretexts lacking evidence.
Tensions escalated after former U.S. President Donald Trump declared Venezuelan airspace 'closed' in a November 29 social media post, a move condemned by Caracas as colonialist. Reports suggest Washington is considering covert operations to overthrow Maduro following months of Caribbean maritime strikes.
Venezuela's Resilience and Regional Divides
Venezuela has responded by enhancing air defenses with Russian-made S-300 systems and diversifying its economy beyond oil. 'These measures provide greater resilience against external pressure than in previous crises,' Sun noted.
Regional resistance is mounting: Ecuador rejected a referendum to restore U.S. military bases, Colombia suspended anti-drug coordination with U.S. agencies, and European allies like the Netherlands limited intelligence sharing over human rights concerns. Sun warned such actions risk deepening divisions in a region already grappling with organized crime and social instability.
A Coercive Legacy Revisited
'The new Monroe Doctrine may force superficial compliance while driving strategic alienation from the U.S.,' Sun concluded, emphasizing historical distrust of interventionism. As Latin American governments balance diplomacy and sovereignty, 2025's developments could redefine hemispheric power dynamics.
