Monroe Doctrine

On 3 January 2026, the United States launched a military strike in Venezuela and captured incumbent Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The US operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, began around 2 a.m. local time, when explosions were observed. The US Armed Forces bombed infrastructure across northern Venezuela to suppress air defenses as an apprehension force attacked Maduro's compound in Caracas. Maduro and Flores were transported to New York City by US forces to face their trial there. If the operation is considered a military conflict, at 2 hours and 28 minutes it would qualify as one of the shortest wars in history.

The Monroe Doctrine is a United States foreign policy position that opposes any foreign interference in the Western Hemisphere. Originally concerning European colonialism, it holds that any intervention in the political affairs of the Americas by foreign powers is a potentially hostile act against the United States. The doctrine was central to American grand strategy in the 20th century.

refers to U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy: "speak softly, and carry a big stick, you will go far!"

announced in 1902 by the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luis María Drago

addition to the Monroe Doctrine articulated by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt

naval blockade from December 1902 to February 1903

1896 film

United States presidential doctrine

US commemorative fifty-cent piece (1923)