The political landscape of Latin America has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, with a cascade of right-wing victories reshaping the region. At the center of this shift is a common thread: the influence of former U.S. President Donald Trump. From the seasoned populism of Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro to the meteoric rise of El Salvador's Nayib Bukele, and from the long-sought presidency of Peru's Keiko Fujimori to the unexpected triumph of Colombia's Abelardo de la Espriella, a new generation of conservative leaders has emerged, each echoing Trump's nationalist, anti-establishment rhetoric.
The Colombian and Peruvian Elections: New Faces, Familiar Playbook
In Colombia, the 47-year-old lawyer and businessman Abelardo de la Espriella won the presidency in a nail-biter, defeating left-wing senator Iván Cepeda by just 200,000 votes. De la Espriella, who had no prior political career, campaigned on a platform of law and order and promised to roll back the progressive policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro. Trump actively supported him, celebrating the victory on social media with the phrase, 'He won, big!' The U.S. administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, pledged close cooperation on security, immigration, and trade. De la Espriella's victory marks a definitive end to the leftist era in Colombia, which had been a beacon for progressive movements across the continent.
Meanwhile, in Peru, Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, is on the cusp of winning the presidency after more than 15 years of trying. Her party, Fuerza Popular, leads the vote count against Roberto Sánchez. Keiko has centered her campaign on a tough stance against crime and irregular migration, mirroring Trump's own priorities. She has vowed to strengthen ties with Washington, stating in an interview that her role would be to 'encourage the United States to become more actively involved again.' Her potential victory would solidify the rightward trend in the Andean region, where left-wing governments have been largely defeated.
The Trumpist Affinity: Bolsonaro, Bukele, and Milei
The connection between Trump and Latin American leaders goes beyond electoral support. Many have adopted his political style and policy priorities. Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro, often called the 'Trump of the Tropics,' pursued similar policies on gun rights, vaccine skepticism, and economic deregulation. His administration faced allegations of orchestrating a Brasília uprising in 2023, reminiscent of the January 6 Capitol riot. Despite his subsequent conviction and prison sentence, Trump has continued to back him, even threatening Brazil with tariffs unless Bolsonaro's legal case was dropped.
El Salvador's Nayib Bukele has perhaps the closest personal relationship with Trump. Declaring a nationwide state of emergency to combat gang violence, Bukele reduced the homicide rate from 108 per 100,000 in 2015 to just 8 in 2022. His combative rhetoric and embrace of cryptocurrencies earned him praise from Trump, who has called him a 'great ally' and one of his 'favourite people.' Bukele's success in curbing crime has become a model for other right-wing leaders in the region.
Argentina's Javier Milei, another Trump ally, shares a similar background as a former television personality known for theatrical speeches. Milei's crusade against the civil service, symbolized by a chainsaw, was adopted by Elon Musk during his Trump-led government efficiency drive. The Trump administration even prepared a €17 billion financial rescue package for Argentina, contingent on Milei's party winning legislative elections—which it did.
The 'Donroe Doctrine' and U.S. Interference
Trump's second term has been marked by a more aggressive foreign policy in Latin America, often described as the 'Donroe Doctrine'—a reference to the Monroe Doctrine but tailored to Donald Trump. The White House's National Security Strategy advocates for 'spheres of influence' and explicitly seeks to expand U.S. networks while discouraging nations from working with competitors like China. This has led to open endorsements of candidates across the region, including Paraguay's Santiago Peña and Bolivia's Rodrigo Paz.
In some cases, the interference has been less transparent. In Honduras, an investigation revealed that the U.S. administration, with Israeli financial support, allegedly maneuvered to return former President Juan Orlando Hernández to power. Hernández was sentenced to 45 years for drug trafficking, but Trump pardoned him just before the 2025 election. Leaked audio recordings suggested that the pardon was part of a broader deal to install a transitional president who would pave the way for Hernández's return. This intervention has drawn sharp criticism from left-leaning leaders.
In Colombia, the campaign was marred by White House attacks on Iván Cepeda, whom Trump labeled a 'radical left-wing Marxist.' Outgoing President Petro condemned Washington's interference, pointing to the arrest of a left-wing activist in the United States as evidence of political persecution. Despite these controversies, the rightward shift continues.
The rise of these leaders reflects a broader ideological realignment in Latin America, where decades of leftist dominance are giving way to conservative movements inspired by Trump. From the Amazon to the Andes, the region is now navigating a new political era, shaped by strongmen, nationalist rhetoric, and a redefined relationship with the United States.
Source: MSN News