The security apparatus of the Washington establishment is heavily involved in various overseas military operations, but it has failed to address the issues in America’s own backyard. This neglect has allowed hostile countries like China, Russia, and Iran to expand their influence in Latin America and the Caribbean, spreading their autocratic ideologies. The Monroe Doctrine, which was created to prevent foreign meddling in the Western Hemisphere, is on the verge of becoming obsolete just before its 200th anniversary. This could have dangerous consequences for the United States.
The doctrine was established by President James Monroe in December 1823 and stated that the US would not tolerate colonization or puppet monarchs in its spheres of influence. It also declared that any attempt by European powers to exert control in America’s backyard would be seen as a hostile act. China has emerged as the biggest intruder in the region, with reports of a secret deal with Cuba to build a spy base just 100 miles from Florida. China has been operating a Cuban intelligence base since at least 2019, according to Biden Administration officials.
The Monroe Doctrine, along with an addendum made by President Theodore Roosevelt, gives the US the option to use military force to remove non-regional powers from its historic “backyard.” A 2011 report by the US Army War College revealed that China has maintained Soviet-era surveillance outposts with capabilities to target and collect US communications for decades. These spy centers, operated by China’s People’s Liberation Army, also engage in cyberespionage operations.
China’s presence in the region is concerning due to its proximity to the US. The Bejucal SIGINT outpost, located just 90 miles from Florida, allows Chinese intelligence to intercept electronic communications across the southeastern US, including military bases and ship traffic. It can also track ballistic missiles and monitor US space launches. China’s plans to establish a naval base in Tierra del Fuego could give them control over a critical commercial and naval passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Additionally, their commercial presence along the Panama Canal could be easily converted for military purposes.
Russia, previously a patron of Cuba during the Cold War, has also expanded its influence in Latin America. They provide weapons and military hardware to countries like Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Nicaragua. Russian electronic intercept and surveillance bases exist in Cuba, Brazil, and Nicaragua, with plans for a deployment in Venezuela. These facilities, while initially presented as part of the fight against drug trafficking, can support Russian intelligence and military efforts. Russia also maintains a military presence in Nicaragua and provides security and training to Venezuela’s anti-US dictator Nicolas Maduro.
Iran, known for its support of terrorism, has conducted high-level meetings in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua. They have provided security and military hardware to the Maduro regime through their elite Quds Forces, and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist group has strengthened the dictatorships in Cuba and Venezuela. Hezbollah has also been linked to terror attacks in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
The southern border of the United States has become a cause for concern, as Russia, China, and other adversaries are seeking to exploit the border crisis. Testimonies during a recent House Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing revealed increased encounters between Mexican transnational criminal organizations and illegal migrants associated with the Chinese Communist Party. These breaches in border security not only provide a potential pathway for terrorists but also contribute to the flow of fentanyl into the US.
Despite its decline, the Monroe Doctrine remains relevant with the ongoing proxy war with Russia in Ukraine, preparations for a potential conflict with China over Taiwan, and the constant threat posed by Iran and its pursuit of nuclear weapons. President Barack Obama’s former Secretary of State, John Kerry, declared in 2013 that the era of the Monroe Doctrine was over, but the potential consequences of ending a policy that kept these adversaries at bay are significant.
It is imperative for the United States to address the growing influence of China, Russia, and Iran in its own backyard. The neglect of this issue could have severe ramifications for national security and regional stability.
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