Trump Unveils ‘Don-roe Doctrine’
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the U.S. military operation in Venezuela—ending with targeted strikes on the capital and the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro—was conducted under what he described as a new American foreign policy framework he calls the “Don-roe Doctrine.”
The operation, according to the Trump administration, was designed to address growing national security threats emanating from Venezuela under Maduro’s rule.
Trump: Venezuela Became a Platform for Foreign Adversaries
Speaking after the operation, President Trump said the Maduro government had allowed hostile foreign powers to establish a presence in the Western Hemisphere while acquiring weapons systems capable of threatening U.S. interests.
“Foreign adversaries were operating in our region,” Trump said. “They were developing and using dangerous weapons. That is something the United States cannot allow.”
Administration officials said the action was taken after intelligence assessments concluded that Venezuela posed an escalating risk to American security and regional stability.
A Modern Revival of the Monroe Doctrine
Trump linked the decision directly to long-standing U.S. foreign policy principles, citing the Monroe Doctrine—first articulated more than 200 years ago—as the historical foundation for the operation.
“All of this goes back to the Monroe Doctrine,” Trump explained. “That doctrine protected this hemisphere then, and we are protecting it now. This is a stronger version for a modern world.”
The original doctrine was introduced in 1823 by President James Monroe, warning European nations against interference in the Western Hemisphere. It was later shaped by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, who sought to prevent foreign empires from reclaiming influence in newly independent Latin American nations.
How the Doctrine Has Been Used Throughout History
Over the centuries, American presidents have repeatedly relied on the Monroe Doctrine to counter foreign involvement in Latin America.
In the mid-1800s, it was invoked to support Mexican independence from European-backed rule. In the early 20th century, President Theodore Roosevelt expanded its scope to justify U.S. involvement throughout the region—a move still debated by historians today.
Trump officials argue the updated “Don-roe Doctrine” reflects modern threats, including hostile regimes, foreign military expansion, and transnational criminal networks.
Maduro and Wife Taken Into Custody
Early Saturday morning, U.S. forces carried out precision strikes in Caracas, after which Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained.
Elite U.S. Army Delta Force units reportedly conducted the operation and transported the pair by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that both have been indicted and will face prosecution in the Southern District of New York.
Global Reaction and Diplomatic Fallout
International response was swift. Russia called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, accusing the U.S. of acting without justification.
China’s Foreign Ministry said it was “deeply shocked” by the operation, claiming it violated international law and regional sovereignty. Cuba issued a statement condemning the action and demanded the immediate release of Maduro and Flores.
Despite the criticism, U.S. officials defended the operation as necessary to restore stability and deter further foreign interference in the Western Hemisphere.
Trump Administration Signals Broader Strategy
White House officials emphasized that the operation sends a clear message: the United States will no longer tolerate hostile regimes allowing adversarial powers to gain influence near American borders.
Supporters of the administration say the action reflects a return to strong, decisive leadership and a renewed commitment to protecting U.S. sovereignty and national security.
