The Trump administration is currently citing the 1823 Monroe Doctrine to justify a 2026 expansion of U.S. power. While the White House calls it a "restoration," international statutes label it a criminal overreach and a blatant violation of sovereignty.
In an era of rampant misinformation, we need to simplify the facts.
Bottom line: violating another country’s sovereignty is a crime under multiple laws — including, but not limited to, Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and Article 19 of the OAS Charter. Even if a country is led by a dictator, another nation cannot simply remove the regime and run that nation like a 19th-century colony.
The "Don-roe" Doctrine vs. History
President James Monroe (our 5th President) addressed the nation in 1823. At that time, the world was a very different place:
- The U.S. flag had only 24 stars.
- The western frontier was Missouri.
- The world was still recovering from the Napoleonic Wars.
- The Russian Czars — whom Monroe was specifically addressing regarding the Northwest coast — would remain in power for another 99 years.
For perspective, Monroe's address was delivered less than two decades after the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Today, President Trump has rebranded this policy as the "Don-roe Doctrine." While the original was a defensive "shield" designed to keep European kings out of the Americas, the 2026 version is being used as a "sword" to seize other countries and their assets — including natural resources — through military force.
The Original 1823 Takeaway:
"The American continents... are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers."
The 2026 "Trump Corollary" Interpretation: The administration’s new National Security Strategy (NSS) claims a right to "American preeminence." Following the January 3rd operation in Caracas, Trump has been blunt about the goal: "We want to surround ourselves with energy... We have tremendous energy in [Venezuela]. We need that for ourselves."
The Miller Logic: "Nobody is Going to Fight Us" - Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has expanded this logic beyond South America. On CNN, he recently questioned Denmark’s right to Greenland, stating: "The real question is, by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? ... Nobody's going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland."
This is the "Iron Law" of 2026: Might makes right. > A Note on History: To answer Miller's question, Greenland has been associated with Denmark politically for nearly a millennium. It has been under formal Danish rule since 1721 — over half a century before the U.S. even became an independent nation, and over a century before James Monroe’s 1823 address.
From a forensic perspective, questioning a 300-year-old sovereign claim isn't just a "loophole" — it's an admission that the administration is prioritizing bravado over established historical and legal facts. Hence the entire world is now forced to part of this important conversation. Frear does not equal respect - always remember that.
A Gift to Our Adversaries
By declaring the Western Hemisphere a "private backyard" where rules don't apply, the U.S. is handing a gift to adversarial regimes — a gift they have been expecting since 1949, when NATO was established to curtail the Soviet Union.
Geopolitics is a delicate balance; a tactical win today can be a catastrophic loss tomorrow. Decisions require a deep understanding of facts — emotions and bravado are never sustainable. They often result in a myriad of preventable, unintended consequences.
The Backfire: When the U.S. seizes Venezuela’s oil or threatens Greenland's territory, Russia and China are handed the perfect "precedent" do the same in Ukraine and Taiwan.
The Global Count: Out of 195 countries, roughly 185+ stand against this interpretation. Aside from outliers like Argentina (Milei) and El Salvador (Bukele), the U.S. is effectively standing alone.
World leaders are now designating the U.S. as a hostile power. This is unprecedented. Even during past eras of anti-American sentiment, we were framed as the "World's Police." Now, we are framed as the aggressor, with statute violations and escalating rhetoric serving as "Exhibit A." The administration's most prominent voices are saying the quiet part out loud; acolytes may celebrate it, but they are - perhaps unwittingly - advocating for the destruction of the very laws that protect us all.
The BZV Geopolitical Perspective
Standing against this isn't about being "anti-administration" — it's about being pro-law. We are stronger when we point out blind spots before they become international quagmires. If a Democrat were in office doing the same, my argument would remain identical.
Being a world leader means that whatever we do reverberates. If we act like conquistadors in 2026, we shouldn't be surprised when authoritarians worldwide follow suit. It takes more courage to course-correct than to double down on a mistake.
Speaking truth to power is not only your First Amendment right — it is your duty as a functional adult. The alternative is capitulation or complicity. The administration has made its choice. What is yours? BZV
Deep Dive: The Trump Corollary
Expanded Forensic Analysis: For a technical breakdown of how the 2026 "Don-roe" Doctrine impacts international statutes, read our companion piece on Half Life Crisis:
Nonpartisan Fact: Citing the 1823 Monroe Doctrine to justify 2026 territorial expansion into Venezuela or Greenland violates multiple international statutes of sovereign rights, including Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.
About the Author: J. Marcelo "BeeZee" Baqueroalvarez
🔗 Connect & Learn More: Visit Marcelo's comprehensive landing page for his extended bio, social links, consulting form, and more.
J. Marcelo "BeeZee" Baqueroalvarez is the Founder of Half Life Crisis™, a unique father-daughter collaboration dedicated to the relentless pursuit of intellectual honesty, critical thinking, geopolitical strategy, and meaningful art. Marcelo is the recognized author of the essential reads, Authoritarianism & Propaganda and Woke & Proud, driving challenging conversations worldwide. When not publishing, Marcelo utilizes his strategic insight in technology and business as the founder of BeeZee Vision, LLC™, which includes BZVweb™ Automated Web Services and Info in Context™ strategic consulting.
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