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Summary of the Article: Trump’s Resurgence of Gunboat Diplomacy in Latin ‍America

This article argues that Donald Trump’s aggressive actions towards Venezuela, especially since⁤ last September, represent a dangerous return to the past practice of “gunboat diplomacy” employed by the United States in Latin America. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

* Venezuela as a Pretext: The author contends that Trump’s focus on Venezuela, fueled by ⁢Marco Rubio, isn’t genuinely about⁣ combating drug ⁢trafficking. Venezuela is a transit point, not ‍a producer, of cocaine, and Trump’s own actions (pardoning a convicted drug trafficker) contradict this stated goal.
* Historical Parallel to Gunboat Diplomacy: Trump’s naval⁣ deployments in the Caribbean are likened to the “gunboat diplomacy” of the early 20th century, specifically referencing Theodore Roosevelt and the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which justified US intervention in Latin American affairs.
* Past Resentment & the⁣ Good Neighbor Policy: The article highlights the historical resentment caused by past‍ US interventions in the region, ⁤leading ⁤to neutrality during WWI.⁣ FDR’s “Good Neighbor Policy” ⁣was ‍a deliberate attempt to repair relations and secure Latin American support ⁤during WWII by avoiding intervention.
* Cold War Interruptions: While the US didn’t ⁤entirely abandon interventionism, ‍the Cold War saw renewed interventions justified by the ⁢threat of communism (Cuba, Guatemala, Chile, etc.).
* The “Trump Corollary” ⁣& Limited Sovereignty: The author⁤ argues Trump ⁢has⁤ effectively declared a “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine, ⁤mirroring the ⁤Soviet “brezhnev Doctrine” – asserting the US right to control its sphere⁢ of influence in Latin America, limiting the sovereignty of other nations. His National Security Strategy explicitly states the US ‍must be “preeminent” in the Western Hemisphere.
* Disregard for International Law: The article concludes that ⁢Trump has little respect for international law,violating the OAS Charter which explicitly prohibits intervention in⁣ the affairs of other states. Latin America⁢ is now facing a “Hobbesian state of nature” where international norms ⁢are disregarded.

In essence, the article paints ⁢a picture of Trump reviving a historically ⁤problematic US policy of dominance ‍and intervention⁣ in Latin America, disregarding international ⁤law and perhaps destabilizing the region. It frames his actions not as a legitimate response to a threat, but as a power play driven by a desire for regional control.