EXPLAINERNewsWhat is the Monroe Doctrine, which Trump has cited over Venezuela?US attack on Venezuela evokes the Monroe Doctrine, laid out in 1823 by then-US president to cement Washington’s sphere of influence in Americas.

US Intervention in Venezuela: Context and Historical Background

On Sat, Jan 4, 2026, the United States launched an operation in Venezuela resulting in the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This action was justified by referencing the Monroe Doctrine, a policy established in 1823 by President James Monroe. The Monroe Doctrine historically emphasized the separation of European and American spheres of influence and warned against European interference in the Americas.

The Monroe Doctrine was articulated by President Monroe during his annual State of the Union address on Dec 2, 1823. It declared that any European intervention in the affairs of the Americas would be considered an act of aggression against the United States. The doctrine aimed to prevent new colonization efforts by European powers in the Western Hemisphere.

In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt introduced the Roosevelt Corollary, expanding the Monroe Doctrine to justify US intervention in Latin America. It asserted the right of the US to intervene in cases of European interference or regional instability, particularly concerning debt issues.

The Monroe Doctrine has influenced US foreign policy in Latin America over the decades, serving as a basis for interventions in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nicaragua. In the 1980s, the US supported right-wing groups in Nicaragua and governments in El Salvador and Guatemala under President Ronald Reagan.

Cuba has also experienced significant US pressure through military and economic sanctions since Fidel Castro's revolution. Additionally, there were reports of US attempts to influence political outcomes in Venezuela during Hugo Chavez's presidency.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.