The recent US military bombardment of Venezuela and the capture of its president, Nicolás Maduro, has sent shockwaves across the globe. While unprecedented as the first direct US military attack on a South American nation, the move fits into a centuries-old pattern of intervention by Washington in the affairs of its southern neighbours.
A History of Hemispheric Intervention
Following the operation, President Donald Trump declared that "American dominance in the western hemisphere will never be questioned again." This statement echoes a doctrine that has shaped regional politics for nearly 200 years. Since the mid-19th century, the United States has repeatedly intervened across Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, using both economic pressure and military force.
This latest action is most directly comparable to the 1989 invasion of Panama, codenamed Operation Just Cause. In that instance, President George H.W. Bush ordered approximately 27,000 US troops into the country to capture the dictator Manuel Noriega, a former CIA asset. The invasion resulted in an estimated 200-500 civilian deaths and 300 Panamanian soldiers killed, before the US installed the election winner, Guillermo Endara, as president.
The 'Trump Corollary' and a Long Legacy
Analysts point to a significant shift in policy underpinning the Venezuela strike. Maurício Santoro, a professor of international relations at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, notes it aligns with a new national security strategy from the Trump administration. This strategy advocates for an expanded US military presence in the region, framing it as a "Trump corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine.
The original 1823 Monroe Doctrine, promoting "America for Americans," was later used to justify US-backed coups. Covert actions by agencies like the CIA helped topple democratically elected governments in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina, often ushering in brutal military dictatorships. Overt military operations, however, were historically concentrated in Central America and the Caribbean.
"One might have thought that this era of naked imperialism – of the US getting the political outcomes it wants in Latin America through sheer military force – would be over in the 21st century, but clearly it is not," said Alan McPherson, a history professor at Temple University.
Precedents Across the Continent
The US footprint is etched deeply into the history of nearly every nation in the region:
Mexico (1846-1848): A US invasion, culminating in the occupation of Mexico City, ended with Mexico ceding 55% of its territory, including modern-day California, Nevada, and Utah.
Cuba (1898 onwards): After aiding Cuba's independence from Spain, the US occupied the island until 1902, retaining control of Guantánamo Bay. Further occupations followed, and the CIA later backed the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion against Fidel Castro.
Haiti (1915-1934): Under the guise of stabilisation, the US invaded and took control of Haitian finances for nearly two decades. Later, the CIA worked to secure the brutal dictator François "Papa Doc" Duvalier.
Brazil (1964): While never landing troops, a US naval taskforce was positioned offshore to support the military coup that overthrew left-wing President João Goulart. US agencies later advised the repressive Operation Condor network across South America.
The future for Venezuela remains uncertain, with Trump stating the country would be "run" by the US until a transition occurs. History, however, offers a cautionary note. Professor McPherson warns that US interventions "almost always create long-term problems of succession" and are rarely followed by sustained peace, stability, or democracy. The attack on Venezuela appears not as an anomaly, but as a potent revival of a deeply contentious chapter in inter-American relations.
