US Influence in Latin America: Varied Responses to Trump's Policies

Since Donald Trump resumed his presidency, Latin America has faced significant economic and military pressure from the United States, leading to a spectrum of responses from its leaders. Some leaders, like Argentina's Javier Milei and El Salvador's Nayib Bukele, have aligned closely with Trump, seeking U.S. support for their struggling economies through favorable trade agreements and immigration concessions. In contrast, Colombia's Gustavo Petro has openly criticized Trump, denouncing his administration's approach to migrants and drug policy, while Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva takes a more pragmatic stance, resisting U.S. tariffs and asserting Brazil's growing ties with China.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum employs "silent diplomacy" to navigate trade negotiations and avoid direct confrontation with Trump's policies, while Panama's Jose Raul Mulino has adjusted his foreign policy under U.S. influence. Meanwhile, Venezuela remains wary of U.S. military presence, opting for a cautious approach to avoid provoking further intervention. Overall, the region is experiencing a complex interplay of cooperation and resistance amid a resurgence of U.S. interventionism.