TANVI RATNA: Latin America’s right turn is redrawing the United States’ backyard
TANVI RATNA: Latin America's Rightward Shift and the New U.S. Influence
TANVI RATNA - Latin America is undergoing a profound political transformation, with a growing number of nations aligning with right-wing or center-right leaders who reflect Washington's evolving strategic priorities. This shift is not a fleeting trend but a sustained realignment of power across the continent, reshaping the hemisphere’s governance and its relationship with the United States. From Argentina to the Dominican Republic, countries once associated with leftist movements are now embracing policies that prioritize security, stability, and alignment with American interests. While Mexico, Brazil, and Uruguay remain relatively independent, the broader trend suggests a new era in Latin American politics—one where the U.S. exerts greater influence through a combination of economic pressure, military leverage, and ideological recalibration.
The Reshaping of Latin America's Political Landscape
The region’s political landscape has been redefined by a wave of right-leaning governments, each adapting to the shifting sands of international diplomacy and domestic unrest. In countries like Argentina and Chile, center-right leaders have taken power, while in Paraguay and Peru, right-wing administrations have consolidated control. El Salvador and Honduras, long associated with security-focused governance, now represent a broader pattern. Even the Dominican Republic, historically aligned with leftist policies, has joined this movement, signaling a departure from past alliances. The implications are clear: the United States’ backyard is no longer a place of left-leaning solidarity but a contested space where right-wing leaders promise to restore order and national sovereignty.
Meanwhile, the left’s influence has waned. Venezuela, once a beacon of leftist revolution, has become a cautionary tale of what happens when regimes lose both legitimacy and external support. The ousting of Hugo Chávez’s legacy in 2019 led to a power vacuum, which the current authoritarian government under Nicolás Maduro has filled. This shift is emblematic of a larger trend, where leftist leaders face increasing challenges from internal and external forces. Cuba and Nicaragua, long-standing bastions of communist ideology, remain isolated but serve as reminders of the region’s political diversity.
The U.S. Strategic Reckoning
The United States has played a pivotal role in this transformation, transitioning from diplomatic engagement to a more assertive approach. This change was catalyzed by a series of strategic interventions that demonstrated Washington’s willingness to use force when necessary. The Trump administration’s policies, in particular, marked a turning point. By supporting Bolivia’s state of emergency and expanding visa restrictions across the Western Hemisphere, the U.S. signaled a new commitment to security-driven governance.
These actions were not isolated. They were part of a broader strategy that included economic sanctions, military presence, and geopolitical pressure. The Iran war, for example, amplified the stakes for leaders across the region, linking energy prices to domestic politics. In Chile and Colombia, voters began to associate the survival of their institutions with the strength of their leaders. This connection between external conflict and internal stability created a new political calculus, where leaders who could guarantee security were rewarded, and those who could not were marginalized.
A Revolt Against Vulnerability
The rise of the new right in Latin America is not simply about economic policies or tax cuts. It represents a deeper revolt against the perception of vulnerability. Voters, weary of corruption, violence, and weak leadership, are increasingly drawn to leaders who promise decisive action. This shift is reflected in the political strategies of figures like El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele and Colombia’s Abelardo de la Espriella, whose campaigns emphasize punishment and institutional restoration.
“Once people conclude that the state is absent, weak, or captured, they stop voting for ideals and start voting for force,” the article argues. This sentiment underscores the new right’s appeal, which is rooted in the idea that the state must be seen as a strong, visible entity. The old right, often associated with free-market policies, failed to address the underlying issues of insecurity that have plagued the region for years.
Maduro’s fall in Venezuela was a critical moment that reshaped the region’s political imagination. The U.S. demonstrated that hostile regimes could be destabilized through a combination of sanctions, fuel shortages, and military pressure. This lesson spread across Latin America, influencing leaders to adopt similar tactics. In Peru, for instance, Keiko Fujimori’s victory was fueled by a nation disillusioned with political dysfunction and recurring crises. Her campaign tapped into a desire for stability, a theme that resonates with voters who have grown frustrated with the status quo.
The appeal of the new right lies in its ability to frame governance as a battle against chaos. Leaders now position themselves as the solution to issues like gang violence, cartel activity, and institutional corruption. This approach has created a political brand that is not only about economic reform but about restoring the state’s authority. In a region where voters have lost trust in traditional institutions, the promise of visible force has become a powerful tool for political mobilization.
Bukele’s Model: Power Through Visible Force
Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has emerged as a symbol of this new political paradigm. His administration’s use of emergency powers, mass arrests, and military-led operations has transformed the way security is perceived. By leveraging the state’s coercive tools, Bukele has created a spectacle of authority that appeals to voters who prioritize tangible results over abstract ideals. His success has not only reshaped El Salvador’s political landscape but has also set a precedent for other nations in the region.
Bukele’s model is particularly effective in societies where corruption, violence, and impunity have eroded public trust. The state, once seen as a distant entity, now appears as a direct actor in people’s lives. Emergency powers allow leaders to bypass bureaucratic constraints, enabling rapid action against perceived threats. This has led to the construction of mega-prisons and a heightened military presence, all of which serve to reinforce the state’s dominance. While these methods are controversial, their electoral success is undeniable.
De la Espriella and the Regional Context
Abelardo de la Espriella’s rise in Colombia exemplifies how the regional context has amplified the appeal of security-focused leaders. His victory was not merely a product of personal charisma but of a broader political climate shaped by legislative gridlock, failed peace policies, and the assassination of a major conservative figure. These factors created an environment where voters sought strong, decisive leadership.
De la Espriella’s campaign, which emphasized ruthlessness and institutional strength, resonated with a population tired of political instability. His alignment with Trump’s rhetoric further solidified his position, as the U.S. demonstrated its commitment to supporting leaders who could maintain order. This strategic backing has allowed de la Espriella to position himself as a leader capable of addressing both domestic and external threats, a message that has found traction in a region increasingly defined by its vulnerability to foreign influence.
The new right’s success is not accidental. It is the result of a deliberate strategy that combines economic pressure with a focus on security. By using fuel crises and sanctions as tools of political coercion, the U.S. has reshaped the incentives for Latin American leaders. The result is a hemisphere where the right is not only winning elections but also redefining the very nature of governance. This shift underscores a broader realignment of power, where the state’s ability to enforce order becomes the central theme of political discourse.