The political landscape of Latin America is showing a distinct shift towards right-leaning leadership, a trend that some observers attribute in part to the influence of former U.S. President Donald Trump. This regional movement is being tested in Brazil, where allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro are seeking to re-establish conservative governance.
Argentina has seen one of the most prominent examples of this shift with the election of President Javier Milei, described as a libertarian figure by Trump rally attendee Marcelo Sandrin. Sandrin believes Trump deserves significant credit for fostering this ideological alignment across South America. The Trump administration also asserted U.S. influence through direct actions, such as the capture of Venezuelan socialist leader Nicolás Maduro.
Santiago Vidal Calvo, a researcher at the Manhattan Institute, echoed the sentiment that Trump's policies have positively influenced right-leaning governments in Latin America. He suggested that the Maduro capture demonstrated renewed U.S. influence in the hemisphere and weakened the political order Maduro represented. Calvo also pointed to figures like Milei and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele as inspirations for right-wing movements, impacting policy on immigration, trade, Chinese influence, and national security.
Despite the overarching trend, the political direction in Latin America is not uniform. Mexico remains under the governance of the left-wing Morena movement, and Uruguay also continues to be led by left-wing parties, serving as exceptions to the broader rightward turn.
Calvo also highlighted the role of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggesting that the administration's strategy in Latin America has been a notable foreign policy achievement. He noted that Beijing's influence in the region, often exerted through loan agreements, contrasts with conventional North American banking practices and can provide leverage in domestic affairs. The capture of Maduro, Calvo argued, also signaled a reduction in Chinese influence in certain areas.
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