Examining U.S. Military Influence and Latin American Sovereignty in the Global South
Original framing: “The US vs Latin America: Varsha Gandikota and Susana Muhamad” — Al Jazeera
The U.S. military-industrial complex has historically played a role in Latin American politics through interventions, coups, and economic pressure. From the 1954 coup in Guatemala to the 2009 coup in Honduras, U.S. influence has often been used to install governments favorable to U.S. interests.
The U.S.-Latin American dynamic is not merely a geopolitical rivalry but a systemic issue rooted in historical patterns of neocolonialism, economic dependency, and military intervention.
Indigenous and marginalized voices reveal the limitations of formal sovereignty when cultural and ecological rights are ignored. Cross-culturally, Latin American nations have developed alternative models of sovereignty through regional solidarity and interdependence. A future pathway lies in strengthening South-South cooperation, reforming international financial institutions, and ensuring that military alliances are transparent and democratic. These steps can help Latin American countries reclaim their agency and redefine sovereignty in ways that are inclusive, sustainable, and just.