People's Daily chime: America should no longer have "Monroeism"

Recently, the US government has declassified two documents at Chile's request, both of which, along with previously released declassified documents by the US, irrefutably prove that the US was behind the coup in Chile 50 years ago. This once again indicates that the United States has long regarded Latin America as a "backyard" and acted as a "hegemonic entity" in the name of the Americas, recklessly intervening militarily and economically plundering Latin American countries, causing heavy disasters to the people of Latin American countries.

The two recently declassified documents in the United States are the President's Daily Briefing prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency. The document shows that the US government not only had prior knowledge of the military coup launched by Chilean Army Commander Pinochet in September 1973, but also provided support for the coup. Previously declassified documents from the National Security Archive of the United States also showed that the United States identified then Chilean President Allende as a threat and obstructed his administration through diplomatic, political, and economic means. It also planned to overthrow the Allende regime through spreading rumors, secret assassinations, and instigating a coup.

50 years have passed, and the scars left by the coup on Chilean society have not yet healed. Chilean President Boric said during a memorial service for the victims of the coup in the capital Santiago that the painful experience brought by the coup has left a deep imprint on several generations of Chileans. But the US government has not shown any remorse so far, let alone apologize. In a recent statement released by the US State Department, it even shamelessly stated that the decryption of the document "aligns with our joint efforts to promote democracy and human rights in our respective countries and the world.".

How exactly does the United States promote democracy and human rights in Latin America? In 1823, the United States issued the Monroe Declaration, claiming that the Americas were the Americas of the Americas, but in reality, it treated the Americas as the exclusive "backyard" of the Americans. US President Theodore Roosevelt once publicly declared that "in order to pursue the Monroe Doctrine, the United States had to exercise the power of the international police." The Monroe Doctrine proposed that for 200 years, the United States has taken various means to seize natural resources in Latin America, damage the economies of Latin American countries, interfere in their internal affairs, and lead to economic recession, social unrest, and increased inequality in Latin American countries. A study by Harvard University showed that in less than 100 years from 1898 to 1994, the US government planned and implemented at least 41 coups in Latin America, equivalent to one every 28 months. Until today, the legacy of Monroeism still lingers. The United States frequently sanctions and suppresses "disobedient" Latin American countries, and attempts to use them as pawns in the camp's confrontation, forcing them to choose sides and take sides. Gabriel Merino, a professor at the National University of La Plata in Argentina, pointed out that Latin America and the Caribbean are deeply hurt by American hegemony.

The so-called "promotion of democracy and human rights" by the United States cannot conceal the harm that "Monroeism" has brought to Latin American countries, and American hegemony has attracted more and more resistance and resistance in Latin American countries. Last year at the 9th Summit of the Americas hosted by the United States, the US attempted to reshape its leadership position in the Americas by leveraging its home advantage. However, the summit was publicly boycotted by leaders from multiple Latin American countries due to the United States refusing to invite leaders from Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua to attend. A comment on the US Foreign Policy website pointed out that a major characteristic of the US in discussing Latin American issues is "ignorant arrogance". Mexican President Lopez stated that there should be no more "Monroe Doctrine", interventionist policies, and blockade of other countries in the Americas, and no country should lead the region.

Currently, as a hub of emerging market and developing countries, the "Global South" continues to enhance its voice and influence in international affairs, and Latin American countries are also taking new steps towards unity and self-improvement. The US should recognize the trend of the times, truly respect the sovereignty and people's rights of Latin American countries, and abide by the basic norms of international relations. Only in this way can normal relations be established with Latin American countries.