Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs –
The Council on Hemispheric Affairs cordially invites you to a panel discussion featuring three distinguished Latin American intellectuals, who will examine the U.S. drive to dominate the Americas. The speakers are as follows:
- Luis Britto García — intellectual, renowned Venezuelan writer, and university professor at the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV)
- Atilio Borón — Argentine writer and researcher affiliated with the Institute of Latin American and Caribbean Studies (IEALC)
- Adolfo Pérez Esquivel — Nobel Peace Prize laureate, recognized for his enduring commitment to the defense of democracy and human rights, as well as a sculptor and draftsman.
July 16, Thursday, at 5:00 pm Eastern Time
Latin America in Turmoil
The “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine constitutes an all-out offensive to impose U.S. political, military, and economic dominance over the Americas and secure privileged control over the region’s strategic resources. The administration’s own security strategy calls for restoring U.S. primacy, expanding military and political partnerships, and excluding rival powers from the hemisphere. This offensive has already provoked popular resistance and indignation in Venezuela and among political and social movements in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay.
The United States continues to employ military force alongside sanctions, diplomatic coercion, electoral intervention, and information operations. Washington has intensified its economic and fuel blockade against Cuba, inflicting severe hardship on the Cuban people despite overwhelming international opposition to the embargo. U.S. attacks on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean have killed scores of people without judicial process. On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces attacked Venezuela and seized President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Venezuelan authorities reported that more than 100 people were killed, including 32 Cuban officers providing security for the president. As a result of this brutal attack, the sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been severely compromised.
Colombia’s presidential election—held in a first round on May 31, 2026, and a runoff on June 21—illustrates the electoral dimension of Washington’s offensive. President Donald Trump openly supported right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella and denounced the progressive government of President Gustavo Petro. The campaign also generated allegations of foreign interference through artificial intelligence, digital propaganda, political contacts, and coordinated information operations. De la Espriella narrowly defeated Iván Cepeda in the runoff.
Israel is also seeking to expand its influence in the region through trade agreements, humanitarian operations, and institutional cooperation. Its expanding network of economic agreements with Latin American states provides a formal basis for deeper diplomatic and commercial relations. In Venezuela, Israeli humanitarian operations following the June 2026 earthquakes have provided access to the interim government and created opportunities for longer-term political, institutional, and strategic relationships. The extension of the mission beyond immediate emergency relief would likely indicate an effort to convert humanitarian access into a continuing presence.
Together, these developments raise the urgent need to examine the changing forms of foreign intervention in Latin America and their consequences for sovereignty, democracy, and regional independence.
WEBINAR ZOOM LINK:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89782157638?pwd=4ebxxbe33ncb6MVwaKYOVvwZ2LdSHN.1