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China on the ropes: The ‘Donroe Doctrine’ gains ground in Latin America

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by Arturo McFields, opinion contributor - 04/30/26 8:30 AM ET

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by Arturo McFields, opinion contributor - 04/30/26 8:30 AM ET

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President-elect of Chile Jose Antonio Kast greets President Donald Trump at the Shield of the Americas Summit, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The U.S. is stepping on the gas in Latin America, relegating China to the status of a second-tier partner in the region. Beijing is losing access to rare minerals in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, while F-16s roar across the skies of Peru and Argentina.

Furthermore, the U.S. has bolstered its support to ensure respect for the sovereignty of ports in Panama, and — for the first time — a space force initiative has been established to consolidate regional cooperation and counter China’s space strategy.

In 1823, the U.S. promulgated the Monroe Doctrine as a strategy to prevent the colonialist influence of European powers in the Americas. The Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine is repeating history by curbing the advance of Communist China in Latin America.

Chile and the U.S. have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand collaboration on critical minerals from exploration to processing. Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Perez said it “aims to strengthen resilient and secure supply chains, move towards greater value generation and create the right environment to attract and develop investment.”

As for Bolivia, Assistant Secretary Caleb Orr and Mining Minister Marco Calderon signed a critical minerals memorandum of understanding in Washington and discussed critical minerals cooperation. The State Department Economic Affairs Office said the U.S. “is committed to working with Bolivia under the leadership of President Paz to bring investment that drives prosperity in both the U.S. and Bolivia and secures critical mineral supply chains.”

In Brazil, USA Rare Earth’s $2.8 billion acquisition of the Brazilian mining company Serra Verde Group is a step toward U.S. independence from China for rare earth metals. According to Bloomberg, the new investment expects about one third of its future production to come from heavy rare earth elements, a category currently dominated by China.

In February, the U.S. Trade Representative announced the U.S-Mexico Action Plan on Critical Minerals, which develops coordinated trade policies and mechanisms that mitigate critical mineral supply chain vulnerabilities.

However, the U.S. has not only reclaimed its leadership regarding strategic minerals but also in the realm of security. Peru acquired the most modern F-16 fighter jets in Latin America, leaving behind its Russian-made MiG-29s from the 1990s and closing the door to China’s JF-17s.

Peru’s acquisition of F-16s complements the nine Black Hawk helicopters supplied by the U.S., as well as plans to modernize the military base in Callao — located just 80 kilometers from the Chancay port, which is operated by companies linked to China.

Thanks to U.S. leadership, China and Russia have been effectively shut out of the running for new military equipment purchases in Latin America. Argentina purchased 24 F-16 jets instead of China’s JF-17s. Colombia added 17 Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets. Brazil acquired another 15 F-39 Gripens manufactured domestically, and Uruguay obtained another six fighter jets built in Brazil.

The U.S. also established Space Force Southern — an initiative aimed at strengthening its alliance with the Americas in this field. In recent years, China has exploited this sector by co-sponsoring 11 space bases right in the United States’ own backyard. The current administration is the first to put a stop to this hemispheric threat.

In Panama, the U.S. reaffirmed its unwavering support in the face of China’s commercial harassment of Panamanian-flagged vessels. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a sovereign Western hemisphere is “non-negotiable,” and that the administration is “deeply concerned by China’s targeted economic pressure” regarding ports in Panama and will “stand in solidarity” with the nation.

“Any attempts to undermine Panama’s sovereignty are a threat to us all,” he concluded.

The U.S. is reconfiguring the geopolitical map in the Americas. Agreements regarding rare earth materials and strategic minerals, F-16 aircraft, the new Space Forces South and ports in Panama mark the resurgence of a firm and reliable leadership — one that is trusted by its partners yet feared and respected by its adversaries. Yes, the U.S. is back.

Arturo McFields is an exiled journal