How Donald Trump's Influence Is Reshaping Latin America's Political Landscape

Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella gestures after he received his credentials from the president of Colombia's National Electoral Council, Cristian Ricardo Quiroz Romero, in Bogota on June 25, 2026. The challenging war on Iran and persistent failure to manage Israel have resulted in United States President Donald Trump facing plummeting approval ratings and rising public discontent at home. However, one specific aspect of his foreign policy appears to offer a bright spot: Latin America.

Over the past year and a half, a wave of right-wing leaders has assumed power in the region through electoral wins that Donald Trump has largely claimed personal credit for. These figures appear eager to enable the return of US power projection through what Donald Trump has termed the “Donroe Doctrine”. Historically, US cooperation with right-wing Latin American regimes under the guise of fighting leftist politics and narco-terrorism has often led to significant civilian casualties.

In Colombia, far-right millionaire businessman and former criminal defense lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella was recently sworn into office, reviving memories of past US funding for military and paramilitary groups that resulted in extensive bloodshed. Abelardo de la Espriella previously built part of his wealth defending paramilitary leaders and has pledged aggressive measures against the left, alongside promoting fracking and environmentally contentious projects.

Donald Trump's regional allies also feature Argentina’s Javier Milei, whose party achieved strong results in October midterm elections following a conditional $40bn bailout from the US. Javier Milei's elimination of welfare programs has driven widespread poverty and homelessness in Buenos Aires. Meanwhile, right-wing businessman Nasry Asfura took the presidency in Honduras after Donald Trump threatened to withhold aid should he lose, leading to intensified security measures and violence.

This rightward trend extends to Chile, where Donald Trump endorsed 2025 presidential winner Jose Antonio Kast, an admirer of Augusto Pinochet. Jose Antonio Kast immediately initiated a border trench-digging campaign. Additional figures such as Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa, El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, and Peru’s Keiko Fujimori have similarly embraced strict, iron-fist crime strategies.

The US president finds strong alignment with these leaders, who generally favor governance by the wealthy, strict law-and-order policies, and xenophobic rhetoric aimed at shifting public attention away from economic struggles and environmental degradation.