Defending America’s Interests
From its creation by President James Monroe in 1823 until today, the Monroe Doctrine has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. This policy asserts foreign interference in the Americas will be met with American resolve, shaping generations of diplomatic, military, and security decisions. From Cold War efforts to halt the expansion of communism to modern questions of sovereignty, the doctrine continues to frame America’s interactions with our neighbors, politically, economically, and on practical matters like border security.
Last week, U.S. law enforcement, supported by the U.S. military, arrested Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro to face federal criminal charges. Maduro, along with his wife and others from his government, was first indicted in 2020 on U.S. narcoterrorism charges, with President Biden increasing the reward for Maduro’s arrest in January 2025. I am pleased Maduro was arrested without loss of American lives or extended military engagement.
Until Saturday, Maduro had served as leader of Venezuela despite broad international consensus his government stole the most recent election, preventing pro-democracy opposition from taking power. Russia, Communist China, Iran, and other rogue states were key supporters of Maduro’s regime. While Venezuela’s future must lie in the hands of its people, celebrations across the Venezuelan diaspora provided a strong reminder of their outcry for democracy, and it remains in the best interest of both Americans and Venezuelans for the future Venezuela to be free, prosperous, and independent.
Beyond slowing the flow of illicit drugs at their source, we have also enhanced our hemispheric interests through improved border security over the past year. From 2021 through 2024, at least 385 individuals on terrorism watch lists were apprehended at our southern border, while in fiscal year 2024 alone more than 9,000 pounds of fentanyl were seized between ports of entry according to Customs and Border Patrol. After years of a porous southern border and catch-and-release policies under the Biden administration, month-by-month encounters of illegal immigrants have decreased by nearly 90% and catch-and-release has ended under President Trump.
While the Trump administration directives have driven the decrease in illegal crossings, Congress has supplemented this effort by ensuring federal agencies have the necessary resources they need. In July, I supported the enactment of $165 billion for border security, enforcement, and detention, including completion of the southern border wall, and the Department of Justice funding bill I supported this week ensures funding for detention facilities through the remainder of this fiscal year.
Together, these issues reflect a consistent principle rooted in the Monroe Doctrine: America must defend its sovereignty, uphold the rule of law, and resist malign influence in our hemisphere. Strength at the border, accountability abroad, and fair trade at home remain essential to protecting U.S. security and prosperity in the years ahead, and I look forward to continuing my work on these issues.