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In this interview, Brian Winter of Americas Quarterly discusses the forces shaping US actions toward Latin America.

Latin America analyst Brian Winter argues that Donald Trump sees Venezuela as a foreign policy success… and Cuba may be next.

According to Brian Winter, chief editor of Americas Quarterly, US foreign policy toward Latin America is shaped by concerns over immigration, drug trafficking, and rivalry with China.

Winter tells host Steve Clemons that the United States historically treated its neighbors to the south with “a big stick”, but the region fell off the radar over the past few decades.

Winter notes that the Trump administration is reasserting its dominance in the region, including military intervention in Venezuela, a "maximum pressure" campaign on Cuba, and open political support for leaders in Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and other nations.

Published On 20 Jul 202620 Jul 2026

Winter's analysis underscores that immigration, drug flows, and competition with China are central to US policy. He points to Venezuela as a perceived success for the Trump administration, with Cuba potentially next. This marks a return to a more interventionist US posture after years of relative neglect.