Pence replacing Trump at Peru summit. But name that matters most is Monroe.

The political leaders of Latin America may have been justified in daring to hope over recent years that the Monroe Doctrine was a thing of the past.

Indeed it seemed – as a succession of US presidents starting with Bill Clinton in 1994 emphasized hemispheric partnership over backyard dominance – that the 19th-century policy declaring Latin America the sole domain of the United States was a relic that had been retired. Barack Obama had appeared to provide the coda, ending the last cold-war-era conflict in the region by normalizing relations with Cuba.

Hopes deferred, perhaps.

Under President Trump the Monroe Doctrine, first uttered by President James Monroe in 1823 to warn away European colonial powers, has come roaring back. Only now Uncle Sam’s “keep out” sign is directed at expansive powers China and Russia – and to

Dwindling US influenceTall order for PenceDealing with US versus China