Congress calls for end to Monroe Doctrine, accountability for past coups

What it does

This resolution calls on the U.S. government to formally abandon the Monroe Doctrine—a 200-year-old policy asserting U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere—and replace it with a 'New Good Neighbor' policy based on respect for Latin American and Caribbean sovereignty. The resolution proposes concrete steps: ending unilateral sanctions (including the Cuba embargo), declassifying records of past U.S.-backed coups and dictatorships, reforming international financial institutions to give developing countries more say, and committing to respect international law and democratic processes in the region.

Why we flagged it

This is a non-binding sense-of-Congress resolution that repudiates a historical doctrine and proposes a reorientation of U.S. hemispheric relations toward sovereignty respect and democratic accountability. It is messaging legislation with concrete policy recommendations, not an appropriation or regulatory change.

What the text implies

• Declassification of coup and dictatorship records could expose decades of classified U.S. involvement in regime change, potentially triggering legal liability or diplomatic fallout.
• Ending the Cuba embargo would require Congressional action and faces strong political opposition; this resolution signals intent but does not mandate it.
• Reforming the IMF and World Bank voting structures would require international negotiation and could reduce U.S. influence in those institutions.
• The resolution's framing of recent Trump administration actions (Venezuela military strikes, Honduras interference) as violations of law and sovereignty sets a confrontational tone with the current executive branch.

Who it affects

Ordinary Americans benefit from reduced military adventurism, lower risk of costly foreign interventions, and restored diplomatic credibility. Latin American and Caribbean citizens directly benefit from sovereignty respect, sanctions relief, and accountability for past U.S.-backed atrocities. The resolution prioritizes democratic norms and human rights over imperial assertion.

Named in the bill

Monroe Doctrine, Department of State, Department of Treasury, U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Agency for International Development, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Organization of American States (OAS), Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Caribbean Community, Union of South American Nations — and 8 more

Where it stands

18 cosponsors: 18 Democrats.

• Feb 10, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means and House Committee on Financial Services · Congress.gov: “Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and…”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.