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US Deploys “Donroe Doctrine” as Panama Annuls Chinese Port Contracts After Maduro Capture

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US Implements Donroe Doctrine to Expel Chinese Influence The December 2025 U.S. national security strategy introduced the “Donroe doctrine,” directing Washington to deny “non‑Hemispheric competitors” control of strategic assets in the Western Hemisphere [1]. President Donald Trump invoked the doctrine in a White House meeting with oil executives, explicitly naming China and Russia as excluded partners [1]. The policy calls for pushing foreign infrastructure firms out of Latin America and the Caribbean [1].

Surprise Operation Captured Venezuelan President Maduro In January 2026 U.S. forces executed a covert strike that seized Nicolás Maduro, ending his administration’s partnership with Chinese financiers who had funded oil fields and major infrastructure [1]. The capture threatens to leave Chinese banks with billions of dollars in unpaid Venezuelan debt [1]. Washington presented the operation as a signal of its resolve to curb Beijing’s foothold in the region [1].

Panama Court Nullifies Hong‑Kong Port Contracts Under US Pressure On 30 January 2026 Panama’s high court ruled that contracts with a Hong‑Kong‑linked port operator were unconstitutional, effectively annulling the agreement [1]. The decision mirrors a broader U.S. campaign to remove the firm from Panama Canal operations [1]. U.S. officials framed the ruling as a step toward eliminating Chinese‑affiliated infrastructure in the hemisphere [1].

Chinese Trade and Investment in Latin America Continue Growing Bilateral trade between China and Latin America surpassed $500 billion annually in 2025, marking an 8 % year‑on‑year increase [1]. China reported a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus for 2025 and has provided $302 billion in official‑sector financing to the region from 2000‑2023 [1]. State‑linked firms dominate more than three dozen ports, with COSCO listed by the U.S. Defense Department for military links, and projects span power grids, telecom fiber, EV factories, and the $3.5 billion Chancay deep‑water port in Peru [1].

US Development Finance Expands Yet Lags Behind Chinese Capital The U.S. Development Finance Corporation’s budget was tripled in December 2025, and an emergency credit line was extended to Argentina to compete with Chinese lending [1]. Despite the boost, Chinese state‑backed capital continues to outspend U.S. private financing three‑to‑one since 2014 [1]. Latin American governments remain forced to evaluate offers from both powers amid divergent development models [1].

Sources

Timeline

1823 – The original Monroe Doctrine declares the Western Hemisphere closed to new European colonization, establishing a U.S. policy of hemispheric dominance that later inspires the “Donroe Doctrine” concept. [1]

2000‑2023 – Chinese state‑linked firms provide $302 billion in official‑sector financing to Latin America, building ports, power grids, telecom fiber, EV factories and the $3.5 billion Chancay deep‑water port in Peru, creating long‑term strategic footholds. [1]

2014‑present – China’s overseas lending outspends U.S. development finance three‑to‑one, pressuring Washington to expand its own financing tools. [1]

2025 – Bilateral trade between China and Latin America exceeds $500 billion, with 2025 trade up 8 % year‑on‑year and China reporting a $1.2 trillion trade surplus, underscoring Beijing’s growing economic clout in the region. [1]

Dec 2025 – The U.S. national security strategy adopts the “Donroe Doctrine,” pledging to deny “non‑Hemispheric competitors” control of strategic assets and to push foreign infrastructure firms out of the Western Hemisphere; President Donald Trump invokes the doctrine at a White House meeting with oil executives, warning China and Russia that they will be excluded. [1][2]

Dec 2025 – The U.S. Development Finance Corporation budget triples and an emergency credit line is extended to Argentina, matching China’s large‑ticket lending scale and signaling a new U.S. financing push in Latin America. [1]

Jan 2026 – A surprise U.S. military operation captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and transports him to New York on narcoterrorism charges, demonstrating the Trump administration’s willingness to use force to enforce the Donroe Doctrine. [1][2]

Jan 7 2026 – Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning declares that China will “continue to strengthen cooperation” and “support each other” with Latin American and Caribbean states, rejecting U.S. demands that Venezuela sell oil only to the United States and framing the dispute as a violation of sovereignty and international law. [2]

Jan 2026 – The White House warns Mexico, Colombia and Cuba that they could face U.S. military action if they oppose Washington’s hemispheric policy, and signals interest in expanding U.S. strategic focus to Greenland, broadening the scope of the Donroe Doctrine beyond Latin America. [2]

Jan 2026 – President Trump announces that Venezuela will immediately ship 30‑50 million barrels of oil to the United States, using oil exports as leverage to force Caracas to cut ties with China and threatening a U.S. oil blockade if compliance does not occur. [2]

Jan 30 2026 – Panama’s high court annuls Hong‑Kong‑linked port contracts as unconstitutional, echoing U.S. pressure to remove Chinese‑affiliated firms from strategic canal operations and further eroding China’s infrastructure presence in the region. [1]

Future (2026‑2027) – Washington’s interest in Greenland suggests a potential expansion of the Donroe Doctrine’s geographic scope, indicating that the U.S. may seek to assert control over additional strategic territories beyond the Western Hemisphere. [2]

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