Trump's influence fuels rise of right-wing leaders across Latin America

President Donald Trump has lauded a series of right-wing electoral wins in Latin America, portraying them as a validation of his “Donroe Doctrine.” In Colombia, former lawyer and businessman Abelardo de la Espriella took office, bringing a history of ties to paramilitary groups and a push for fracking projects. Argentina’s Javier Milei, whose party surged after a Trump-linked $40 billion bailout promise, has cut welfare programs, leading to widespread poverty.

Honduras elected businessman Nasry Asfura after Trump threatened to withhold aid, while Chile’s José Antonio Kast, a Pinochet admirer, began a border-trench project. Other leaders, including Daniel Noboa, Nayib Bukele, and Keiko Fujimori, have adopted tough-on-crime approaches. The piece argues that these governments share Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and prioritize elite interests, raising concerns about civil-rights erosion and increased violence. A new U.S. “Shield of the Americas” security plan is slated to be headquartered in Medellín, reflecting deeper militarization of the region.