“Breaking Through Old Walls: Cuban-American Lawmakers Take a Stand for the Monroe Doctrine!

Cuban American lawmakers are defending President Monroe’s Doctrine, a policy established nearly 200 years ago, as there is a Progressive push to end this policy in the United States. The Monroe Doctrine was created to prevent foreign powers from interfering in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere. This has been the foundation of American foreign policy since its creation in 1823. However, many Progressives believe that the Monroe Doctrine is outdated, saying that it does not apply to modern-day geopolitics and could even be dangerous to Latin American nations. These critics argue that the Monroe Doctrine has enabled the United States to meddle in Latin American countries for far too long, not allowing them to develop in their own way. Nevertheless, Cuban American politicians and policymakers have vehemently defended the Monroe Doctrine, stating that it is essential in order to protect the various independent Latin American nations from external interference or predatory strategies by other world powers. Notable defenders of the Monroe Doctrine include Representative María Elvira Salazar of Florida and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. Salazar has taken the lead in defending the Monroe Doctrine, demanding that politicians on both sides of the aisle come together and protect this policy. In a statement on the floor of the House of Representatives, Salazar stated, “This is personal for me. I am a Cuban-American and for me the Monroe Doctrine has been one of the greatest reinforcements of the independence of Latin American countries and consequently of my beloved homeland: Cuba.” Rubio echoed Salazar’s sentiments in an essay he wrote for Fox News. He wrote, “The Monroe Doctrine has provided critical security for the United States and all of the nations of our hemisphere. It is not something we should be abandoning in favor of a false promise of a progressive international order.” Despite the push by some to end the Monroe Doctrine, Cuban American lawmakers are committed to preserving this historic policy. It is yet to be seen if lawmakers will come together to ensure that this policy remains in place.