Hispanic lawmakers have introduced the 'Good Neighbor' initiative aimed at annulling the Monroe Doctrine, which has justified U.S. interventions in Latin America.
On Tuesday, a group of nearly 20 Hispanic Democratic legislators, spearheaded by New York Representative Nydia Velázquez, presented the 'Good Neighbor' initiative in Congress. This proposal seeks to annul the Monroe Doctrine, which was revitalized by former President Donald Trump in response to various geopolitical tensions in Latin America, including interventions in Venezuela, threats of military action against Mexico, and increased sanctions against Cuba.
The 'Good Neighbor' initiative is not only focused on annulling the Monroe Doctrine but also aims to eliminate unilateral U.S. sanctions, declassify documents related to U.S.-backed coups, and reform international financial institutions. Velázquez emphasized the urgent need for the State Department to formally declare that the Monroe Doctrine is no longer U.S. policy. She highlighted how this doctrine has historically justified foreign interventions, coups, and support for dictatorships across Latin America for over two centuries.
This move occurs at a time when U.S. relations with its Latin American neighbors are particularly tense, reflecting a broader push among progressive lawmakers to reassess and change U.S. foreign policy in the region. The proposal illustrates growing discontent among U.S. legislators regarding past interventions and their consequences, seeking to pivot towards a more cooperative and respectful foreign policy framework in line with the principles of the 'Good Neighbor' policy that aimed for mutual respect and partnership.
