By Adrian Bernal, Advancing Human Rights Committee member
In February, New York Representative Nydia Velázquez introduced H.R. 1056, a resolution to annul the Monroe Doctrine and establish a “New Good Neighbor” policy.
The “Good Neighbor” policy was established in 1933 by President Franklin Roosevelt and prioritized economic cooperation and non-interference over military intervention. Although the Monroe Doctrine is not a formal US law, it has been invoked since 1823 to justify US interference throughout the hemisphere.
In addition to repealing the doctrine, H.R. 1056 calls for:
- An end to unilateral economic sanctions.
- The declassification of documents regarding past coups, dictatorships, and human rights abuses.
- Reform of the IMF, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank.
- Protections for the rights of workers, Indigenous people, and Afro-descendants.
While H.R. 1056 is currently a nonbinding resolution, it outlines a framework for potential future legislation. Historically, the Monroe Doctrine has influenced actions such as the Mexican-American War, the invasions of Puerto Rico and Cuba, the Banana Wars, and numerous coups and interventions in Nicaragua, Haiti, Guatemala, Brazil, Chile, and Panama. More recent similar actions include the 2019 coup in Bolivia and the 2026 abduction of Venezuela’s President and First Lady.
This resolution arrives as a response to the “Trump Corollary,” which asserts US preeminence in the region and justifies intervention to counter Russian and Chinese influence.
The following actions have taken place under the cover of the Monroe Doctrine:
- 1846: The Mexican-American War, which ended with the US taking 55% of Mexico.
- 1894: The invasion of Puerto Rico and Cuba during the Spanish-American War.
- 1898 – 1934: The Banana Wars to advance corporate interest in Cuba, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
- 1909: The overthrow of the government in Nicaragua, giving rise to the Somoza family dictatorship.
- 1915: The invasion and 20-year occupation of Haiti.
- 1954: Coup in Guatemala.
- 1964: Coup in Brazil.
- 1962: Embargo on Cuba, still in place today.
- 1972: Coup in Chile.
- 1975-1980: Operation Condor to kidnap, torture, and kill exiles from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
- 1983: Invasion of Granada.
- 1980s: Support for the genocide of the Mayans in Guatemala, death squads in El Salvador, and the contras in Nicaragua.
- 1989: Invasion of Panama.
- 1991 and 2004: The overthrow of Haiti’s President.
- 2009: Coup in Honduras.
- 2019: Coup in Bolivia.
- 2025: President Trump installs the president of Honduras.
- 2026: Abduction of the president and first lady of Venezuela.
These examples illustrate only some of the actions the United States has justified under the Monroe Doctrine.
We need a “New Good Neighbor” policy! Contact your representative now to urge support for H.R. 1056 and the annulment of the Monroe Doctrine.
