President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela — which included targeted strikes on the capital and the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro — was conducted under what he described as a newly defined American foreign policy doctrine.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the mission reflected what he has labeled the “Don-roe Doctrine,” a modern update to the long-standing Monroe Doctrine, which has guided U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere for more than two centuries.
Trump said that under Maduro’s leadership, Venezuela had effectively turned into a foothold for foreign adversaries operating near the United States.
Trump: Venezuela Became a Security Threat
“Under Maduro, Venezuela welcomed foreign adversaries into our region and pursued offensive weapons that posed a direct threat to American interests and American lives,” Trump said. “Those threats were addressed last night.”
The president argued that the situation represented a fundamental departure from long-standing U.S. principles and demanded decisive action.
“These actions violated the core foundations of American foreign policy going back more than 200 years,” Trump said. “That policy began with the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine was important — very important — but we’ve moved far beyond it. What we’re doing now is stronger. It’s called the Don-roe Doctrine.”
The Origins of the Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine dates back to December 2, 1823, when President James Monroe warned European powers against political or military interference in the Western Hemisphere.
Developed with the guidance of Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, the doctrine was designed to prevent former colonial powers such as Spain and France from reclaiming influence over newly independent Latin American nations. It also served as a deterrent against Russian expansion in North America.
For generations, U.S. presidents relied on the Monroe Doctrine to push back against foreign interference in the Americas. In the mid-1800s, it was cited to support Mexico’s resistance against French rule. In the early 20th century, it was expanded to justify U.S. involvement across Latin America.
Over time, critics argued that later interpretations — particularly during the Cold War — were sometimes used to justify interventions against governments aligned with America’s rivals.
Maduro Capture Draws International Reaction
The Trump administration confirmed that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody following early-morning strikes in Caracas.
According to U.S. officials, American special operations forces secured the pair and transported them to the USS Iwo Jima, where they were transferred into U.S. custody. Attorney General Pam Bondi said both have been formally indicted and will face prosecution in the Southern District of New York.
Several foreign governments quickly criticized the operation.
Russian officials called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, claiming the justification for the action was unfounded. China’s foreign ministry said it was “deeply shocked,” accusing the United States of violating Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law.
Cuba issued a sharply worded statement demanding the release of Maduro and Flores, condemning what it described as U.S. interventionism in Latin America.
A Broader Message From Washington
Despite international backlash, Trump administration officials framed the operation as a warning to hostile regimes operating in the Western Hemisphere.
Supporters of the president say the message is clear: foreign adversaries will no longer be allowed to establish military or intelligence footholds in America’s backyard.
With the unveiling of the “Don-roe Doctrine,” Trump appears to be signaling a tougher, more assertive approach to defending U.S. interests closer to home — one that allies say restores clarity, deterrence, and strength to American foreign policy.