A senior White House official announced that US President Donald Trump will host a major summit of Latin American leaders in Miami on March 7. This move comes at a highly sensitive time for the continent, as Washington seeks to reassert its influence in what is essentially its backyard.
Attendance list and indications of absence
Although the source did not disclose all the precise details of the meeting, expectations strongly suggest the attendance of heads of state with close and distinguished relations with the current US administration, most notably the presidents of Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Honduras. Conversely, the absence of leaders from other pivotal countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico is striking, reflecting a cooling of diplomatic relations and underlying tension between Washington and these capitals at present, indicating a clear geopolitical division in Latin America.
The repercussions of the Venezuelan issue
This summit is being held in a tense atmosphere, coming just two months after the US military operation in Venezuela, which triggered a political earthquake in the region by resulting in the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro. This pivotal event has reshaped the balance of power and imposed a new reality that requires Washington to coordinate directly with its allies to ensure regional stability and prevent a security vacuum that could be exploited by hostile forces.
Confronting the Chinese Dragon: A Top Priority
Media reports, particularly in the Argentinian press, anticipated that the issue of "Chinese influence" would top the agenda of the talks. The United States views with increasing concern Beijing's economic expansion in South America through infrastructure projects and massive investments within the Belt and Road Initiative. Trump is expected to pressure Latin American leaders to limit this cooperation, offering promises of alternative economic partnerships that would ensure the continent remains within the American sphere of influence.
New National Security Strategy
This diplomatic activity is based on the Trump administration's "New National Security Strategy," which prioritizes the United States' immediate regional environment. This strategy aims to protect the Western Hemisphere from foreign interference, whether political or military, and to revive principles similar to the Monroe Doctrine, but in a modern form designed to counter foreign influence and ensure that strategic decisions in Latin America remain aligned with U.S. national security interests.
