Latin America is experiencing one of its most significant political shifts in decades, as a series of electoral victories by right-wing movements transforms the region’s political landscape and creates new opportunities for US President Donald Trump to expand his influence. A report by Die Zeit examines how governments across the continent are moving closer to positions aligned with Washington, while traditional left-wing forces face growing challenges.
The changing dynamics became visible in Venezuela, where relations between Washington and Caracas entered an unexpected new phase following two devastating earthquakes that struck the north and center of the country. Trump responded quickly on his platform Truth Social, stating that the United States was prepared and willing to provide assistance and instructing government agencies to prepare for a rapid response.
The announcement represented a significant shift in tone. Unlike previous US actions toward Venezuela, which had included military pressure and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US special forces on January 3, the response to the earthquakes was framed as humanitarian assistance. Venezuela’s interim government declared a state of emergency following the disasters, with thousands of deaths feared beneath collapsed buildings.
Trump described Venezuela’s new leadership as among his “new and great friends,” referring to Delcy Rodríguez, who had previously served as a loyal vice president under Maduro before becoming interim president following his removal. Under her leadership, Venezuela has accepted greater US involvement in the country’s oil exports and natural resources, welcomed American investors, and begun planning a major debt restructuring aimed at reconnecting the crisis-hit economy with international financial markets.
The transformation represents a dramatic political change. Rodríguez, once associated with Venezuela’s socialist leadership, has gained political power while questions surrounding democratic reforms and the release of political prisoners have remained secondary concerns for Washington. According to Die Zeit’s analysis, the Venezuelan shift reflects a broader regional trend in which political movements are adapting to new alliances and changing power structures.
For Trump, Latin America has become a rare area of political momentum. While the US president has faced domestic and international criticism on multiple fronts, the developments in the Western Hemisphere have strengthened his position as governments with more conservative agendas gain influence. The region has increasingly become central to Trump’s vision of US influence in what he has described as America’s strategic backyard.
The scale and speed of Latin America’s political transformation have been notable. Since 2023, several countries have moved away from left-wing governments, with right-leaning candidates winning elections in Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, Honduras, Chile, and, according to the analysis, potentially Peru and Colombia.
Colombia’s political shift has drawn particular attention. Right-wing populist candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who refers to himself as “the Tiger,” won a narrow victory on promises to dismantle parts of the state and adopt tougher security policies. He has expressed admiration for the approach of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, another leader viewed as close to Trump. De la Espriella, a lawyer with no previous political experience, has promoted policies inspired by the aggressive style associated with Trump’s administration.
The broader question emerging from these developments is why so many Latin American countries are moving closer to Trump-style politics at a time when the US president himself faces significant criticism domestically. Die Zeit highlights the contrast between Trump’s declining popularity in the United States and his growing appeal among some political movements in Latin America.
The answer lies in a combination of factors, including frustration with previous governments and dissatisfaction with unresolved social problems. Before the current conservative shift, much of the region experienced the so-called “pink wave,” when socialist and social democratic governments came to power. However, many of those administrations struggled to significantly reduce inequality or address rising crime and insecurity.
The failures of some left-wing governments have also affected public perceptions of the region’s remaining socialist states. Venezuela and Cuba, long considered symbols of revolutionary politics in Latin America, have become examples cited by opponents of socialist models. Their economic and political crises have influenced voters seeking alternative approaches.
Cuba’s recent economic changes have added another layer to the regional transformation. After years of maintaining a socialist economic structure, the Cuban government announced reforms that include greater market participation and economic adjustments. Trump has questioned whether those changes would be enough to alter US policy toward Havana, even suggesting that Cuba could face actions similar to those taken in Venezuela.
Despite the rise of conservative movements, Latin America has not experienced a complete political realignment. The region’s two largest countries, Brazil and Mexico, continue to be led by left-wing governments. Brazil is preparing for an election expected to feature a contest between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who has already sought support from Washington.
The political future of Latin America remains uncertain, but the recent developments mark a significant change in regional dynamics. From Venezuela’s unexpected shift in relations with Washington to electoral victories by conservative candidates across the continent, the balance of political power is undergoing one of its most notable transformations in recent history.
