Trump’s Monroe Doctrine Revived: The Capture of Maduro and a New Era in Latin America

The era of strategic patience has ended. In a stunning display of force, US military action has removed President Nicolas Maduro from power, signaling a ruthless return to American primacy in the Western Hemisphere. This isn't just about regime change; it's a concrete manifestation of President Donald Trump's assertive national security strategy.

Trump Venezuela Maduro Capture 2026: Reasserting Primacy

On Saturday, US forces captured the Venezuelan leader in what analysts describe as the most direct American military intervention in Latin America in decades. According to reports from the SCMP, the country is now under a US-managed transition. Trump has pledged that forces will remain in place to oversee the political shift while ensuring that oil continues to flow to global markets, including China.

Testing the Limits of Chinese and Russian Protection

The operation forces governments across the region to reassess their ties with Beijing and Moscow. For years, these powers have provided a diplomatic and economic shield for the Maduro administration. However, the speed of the US operation suggests that neither could offer a meaningful security guarantee against direct American action. This pivotal moment leaves Latin American leaders weighing the balance between national sovereignty and the reality of US dominance.