The State Department released a video on its official X account this Tuesday, highlighting two centuries of the Monroe Doctrine and issuing a stern warning: "American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again," as stated by President Donald Trump.
This five-minute video outlines the historical development of the doctrine since its inception in 1823 and showcases the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026—through Operation Absolute Resolve—as the latest example of its practical application under the Trump administration.
The video draws a direct connection between President James Monroe's original decree to Congress—which declared that American continents were not open to future European colonization—and Washington’s military and diplomatic actions in the 21st century.
Cuba is referenced at two pivotal moments in the narrative: the Spanish-American War of 1898, when the U.S. ousted Spain from the island, establishing itself as a dominant power in the Caribbean, and the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, when President Kennedy invoked the doctrine to demand the withdrawal of Soviet missiles in a 13-day standoff.
This release is part of a broader strategy dubbed the "Donroe Doctrine"—a portmanteau of Donald and Monroe—whose first practical implementation was Maduro's arrest in Caracas.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth formalized this doctrine during a hemispheric summit in Miami in March 2026, reiterating from Guantanamo Bay on June 10 that "the future of Cuba is in the hands of the President of the United States."
Recently, pressure on Havana has escalated. On August 6, Washington announced sanctions against five entities and eight Cuban officials linked to the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, including Tecnoimport, Duna S.A., and the Yuri Gagarin Military Industrial Company.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio encapsulated the strategy with a decisive statement last Friday: "Whenever they find an exit, we shut it down."
The Cuban regime has responded with rhetoric emphasizing sovereignty. Havana's representative to the UN, Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, declared in June that Cuba’s future "belongs solely and exclusively to the Cuban people and government," asserting that any other belief is "completely and utterly mistaken."
Trump's 2025 National Security Strategy explicitly states that the U.S. will "enforce the Monroe Doctrine to restore its dominance in the Western Hemisphere," making Cuba—alongside Venezuela and Nicaragua—a central focus of this maximum pressure policy.
Understanding the Impact of the Monroe Doctrine on Cuba
What is the Monroe Doctrine?
The Monroe Doctrine is a U.S. foreign policy principle established in 1823, which declared that the American continents were no longer open to European colonization and that any attempt to interfere in the Western Hemisphere would be considered a threat to the U.S.
How has the Monroe Doctrine been applied to Cuba?
Cuba has been a focal point of the Monroe Doctrine during key historical events such as the Spanish-American War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, with the U.S. asserting its influence to prevent other powers from establishing a foothold on the island.
What is the significance of the "Donroe Doctrine"?
The "Donroe Doctrine" represents a modern adaptation of the Monroe Doctrine under the Trump administration, emphasizing U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and targeting regimes like those in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.