he Trump administration has centered Latin America and the Caribbean in its foreign policy, going so far as resurrecting the Monroe Doctrine (along with a new “Trump Corollary" and referring to an “Americas First” foreign policy. However, Washington's renewed focus on the Western Hemisphere hasn't led to engagement through the vast network of regional institutions built for the purpose. Instead, it revealed fractures within the Inter–American system—and a polarized response from regional leaders.
The Americas have a long history of developing mechanisms for regional cooperation and the region is home to the oldest regional organization—the Organization of American States (OAS), whose predecessor the Pan American Union was created in 1890. The development of the Inter–American system was the product of two competing issues; the desire to promote cooperation in regional affairs and to constrain great powers (particularly the United States) from their worst impulses. Today, regional organizations are failing to deliver on either of these promises.
Instead, we have seen regional institutions falter in the face of Washington’s pressure multiple times throughout the year. When the Trump administration threatened Colombian President Gustavo Petro with heightened tariffs due to his unwillingness to cooperate on deportation flights, an emergency meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States was called to address U.S. deportations. The meeting was canceled due to a lack of consensus between members. At the general assembly meeting of the OAS, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau threatened the organization’s budget which is heavily reliant on the U.S.—which had already cut funding to the Pan American Health Organization. As a result, the region has been unable to take a unified stand even on actions that are widely condemned as violations of international law—such as attacks on alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean. Some regional leaders have even praised the attacks. These cases highlight regional fissures and the inability to leverage regional organizations in a meaningful way.
In November, the Dominican Republic postponed the X Summit of the Americas. While this was due to a number of factors, the postponement highlights the challenges facing regional integration in the Americas. The United States has, with this renewed focus on hemispheric affairs, sidelined multilateral and regional governance while exposing fractures within the system. Latin American and Caribbean leaders remain divided in how to respond to the U.S. and instead turn to bilateral attempts to gain modest concessions. Latin American and Caribbean leaders need to remember the dual purpose of regional institutions—they are not only to promote cooperation, but to constrain the worst impulses of the “Colossus of the North.”
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Constraining the colossus
Mandraki Port, site of the ancient Colossus of Rhodes. Via Adobe Stock.
January 6, 2026
Renewed U.S. focus on the LAC hasn’t led to engagement through the network of regional institutions meant to promote cooperation. Instead, this engagement revealed fractures within the Inter-American system and polarization among regional leaders, writes Adam Ratzlaff.
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he Trump administration has centered Latin America and the Caribbean in its foreign policy, going so far as resurrecting the Monroe Doctrine (along with a new “Trump Corollary" and referring to an “Americas First” foreign policy. However, Washington's renewed focus on the Western Hemisphere hasn't led to engagement through the vast network of regional institutions built for the purpose. Instead, it revealed fractures within the Inter–American system—and a polarized response from regional leaders.
The Americas have a long history of developing mechanisms for regional cooperation and the region is home to the oldest regional organization—the Organization of American States (OAS), whose predecessor the Pan American Union was created in 1890. The development of the Inter–American system was the product of two competing issues; the desire to promote cooperation in regional affairs and to constrain great powers (particularly the United States) from their worst impulses. Today, regional organizations are failing to deliver on either of these promises.
Instead, we have seen regional institutions falter in the face of Washington’s pressure multiple times throughout the year. When the Trump administration threatened Colombian President Gustavo Petro with heightened tariffs due to his unwillingness to cooperate on deportation flights, an emergency meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States was called to address U.S. deportations. The meeting was canceled due to a lack of consensus between members. At the general assembly meeting of the OAS, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau threatened the organization’s budget which is heavily reliant on the U.S.—which had already cut funding to the Pan American Health Organization. As a result, the region has been unable to take a unified stand even on actions that are widely condemned as violations of international law—such as attacks on alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean. Some regional leaders have even praised the attacks. These cases highlight regional fissures and the inability to leverage regional organizations in a meaningful way.
In November, the Dominican Republic postponed the X Summit of the Americas. While this was due to a number of factors, the postponement highlights the challenges facing regional integration in the Americas. The United States has, with this renewed focus on hemispheric affairs, sidelined multilateral and regional governance while exposing fractures within the system. Latin American and Caribbean leaders remain divided in how to respond to the U.S. and instead turn to bilateral attempts to gain modest concessions. Latin American and Caribbean leaders need to remember the dual purpose of regional institutions—they are not only to promote cooperation, but to constrain the worst impulses of the “Colossus of the North.”
