The history of US intervention in Latin America | Pinch Point

Key Concepts

• Monroe Doctrine: A US foreign policy statement from 1823 warning European powers against further colonization or intervention in the Western Hemisphere.
• Roosevelt Corollary: An amendment to the Monroe Doctrine issued in 1904, asserting the right of the United States to intervene militarily in Latin American countries to stabilize their economies or prevent European intervention.
• US Interventionism: The historical practice of the United States using its military or political influence to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations, particularly in Latin America.
• Resource Control (Oil): The strategic importance of controlling access to natural resources, specifically oil, as a driver of foreign policy and intervention.
• Geopolitical Rivalry: The competition for influence and power between different nations or blocs, exemplified by the US-China dynamic in South America and the US-Venezuela conflict.
• Sanctions: Economic or political penalties imposed by one country on another, often to influence policy or behavior.

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Shifting Geopolitical Landscape in South America

In recent years, China has emerged as South America's biggest trade partner, displacing the United States, which had maintained this dominant role for over 200 years and historically protected it fiercely. This shift signifies a major change in the geopolitical dynamics of the Western Hemisphere.

Historical US Doctrine and Interventionism

The United States' long-standing protective stance over its influence in the Western Hemisphere is rooted in historical doctrines:

• Monroe Doctrine (1823): Issued by US President James Monroe, this doctrine warned European powers to abandon their colonial pursuits in the Western Hemisphere.
• Roosevelt Corollary (1904): President Theodore Roosevelt amended the Monroe Doctrine, granting the United States the power to intervene militarily in Latin American countries. This amendment is described as having "kickstarted America's view of itself as world police."

Throughout the 20th century, the US extensively exercised this power, flexing its growing military might across Latin America. Its interventions included:

• Military Deployments: Sending armed forces to Peru, Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala.
• Occupations: Occupying parts of Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Colombia.
• Government Overthrows: Helping to overthrow governments in Argentina, Chile, El Salvador, Bolivia, and Brazil. The transcript notes that it is "easier to name a country that wasn't shaped by US intervention," citing Costa Rica as a possible exception. The primary motivation for these interventions, especially when a country "got too cozy with a rival," was consistently identified as "oil."

The Case of Venezuela: Oil, Revolution, and Conflict

Venezuela, possessing "more proven oil reserves than anywhere else in the world," became a focal point of US interests. Historically, the two countries were friendly, with US companies enjoying "unchallenged access to Venezuelan oil fields." This relationship drastically changed in 1999 with the rise of a revolutionary socialist government led by Hugo Chavez.

• Hugo Chavez's Stance: Fiercely anti-American, Chavez prioritized building closer ties with Iran, Russia, and China, and ensuring Venezuelan oil remained "firmly under state control."
• Escalating Tensions: Chavez believed the US actively sought to destabilize his government, citing:
  • An attempted coup in 2002, during which he was detained for 48 hours.
  • An alleged assassination attempt in 2005.
  • Accusations that US aid was funding opposition parties.
• Notable Quote: In 2006, following the US invasion of Iraq, Chavez famously described US President George W. Bush, stating, "You are a donkey, Mr. You are a donkey, Mr. Bush. Come on here."
• Post-Chavez Era: After Chavez's death in 2013, his deputy, Nicholas Maduro, took over. The US responded by placing "heavy sanctions on Venezuela," labeling it as a "threat to national security."

Conclusion

The transcript highlights a significant shift in South American geopolitics, with China supplanting the US as the region's primary trade partner. This change underscores the historical context of US dominance, established through doctrines like the Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary, which justified extensive military interventions often driven by the pursuit of oil and protection of US interests. The case of Venezuela, with its vast oil reserves and the rise of an anti-American socialist government under Hugo Chavez, serves as a prime example of the resulting geopolitical friction, leading to a breakdown in relations and the imposition of heavy US sanctions under Nicholas Maduro.