Congresswoman Ramirez Labels State Department Monroe Doctrine Video Propaganda

The five-minute video portrays the doctrine as a continuous thread of protective diplomacy, tracing a timeline from James Monroe’s original warning against European colonization to the recent abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The State Department accompanied the release with a social media declaration that American dominance in the region will never be questioned again. Critics, however, argue the policy has served primarily as a pretext for regional destabilization, economic hardship, and forced migration.

Historically, the doctrine evolved from a rejection of European interference into a justification for unilateral US control, particularly following the 1904 Roosevelt Corollary. This shift granted Washington the perceived right to intervene in any Latin American or Caribbean nation deemed unstable or hostile. Today, observers have coined the term "Donroe Doctrine" to describe the Trump administration's aggressive posture, which includes military operations in Ecuador and threats against Mexico, Colombia, and the Panama Canal.

In response to the administration's narrative, Ramirez and Rep. Nydia Velazquez have introduced the New Good Neighbor Act. The resolution seeks to pivot away from what they term a paternalistic, damaging history, advocating instead for a framework of cooperation. Ramirez argues that the current approach ignores the region's interconnectedness and fails to address the complex challenges of the 21st century.