Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine is an edict dictated by a U.S. president in 1823, which was never voted on by Congress, much less by those affected - Latin Americans. The U.S. military claims this Doctrine as the legal precedent for its presence throughout Latin America.

While originally formulated to keep other nations out, the Doctrine basically says that Washington can intervene anywhere it wants in the Americas. "Its not unrealistic. In some ways the Monroe doctrine could be interpreted to justify Yankee imperialism throughout the region," says Steve Lucas, spokesman for the U.S. military presence in the region, known as the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). 

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Anti-imperialist
 * Committee of Santa Fe
 * Duane R. Clarridge, justified U.S. interventionism in Latin America with Monroe Doctrine
 * Plan Condor
 * U.S. military bases overseas
 * U.S. military presence in Paraguay

External resources

 * Monroe Doctrine, U-SHistory.com, accessed January 2011.
 * Monroe Doctrine (1823), Our Documents, accessed January 2011.
 * Monroe Doctrine, Wikipedia, accessed January 2011.