Hemisphere

Monroe, 1823

In eighteen twenty-three Monroe announced with pride,
“No European powers may meddle on our side,
This hemisphere is ours! We’ll keep it safe and free!”
(He didn’t mention what WE planned for them and us to be.)

Eisenhower, 1954

When Guatemala’s leader tried land reform to pass,
Eisenhower said, “That’s communism threatening our hemisphere, alas!
The Ikeroe Doctrine says we must intervene!”
(United Fruit was grateful for the coup that he convened.)

Kennedy, 1961

When Castro wouldn’t play the role that he’d assigned to him,
Kennedy launched the Bay of Pigs (the plan was rather grim).
The Jackroe Doctrine said, “We’ll liberate the land!”
(A thousand exiles died upon the Cuban sand.)

Nixon, 1973

When Chile chose Allende in a vote both free and fair,
Nixon said, “We cannot let a Marxist leader govern over there.
The Dickroe Doctrine says democracy’s at stake!”
(He backed Pinochet’s coup for corporate profit’s sake.)

Reagan, 1980s

When Nicaragua’s Sandinistas tried to chart their own path free,
Reagan said, “We must support the Contras’ fight for liberty!”
The Ronnieroe Doctrine armed death squads throughout the land.
(He sold Iran weapons to keep blood on every hand.)

Bush, 1989

When Panama’s Noriega wouldn’t play the game Bush’s way,
Bush launched an invasion on a cold December day.
The Georgeroe Doctrine said, “We’re fighting drugs and crime!”
(He’d been our paid informant until he crossed the line.)

Clinton, 1990s

When Haiti’s Aristide was toppled by a coup,
Clinton said, “Democracy! We know just what to do!”
The Billroe Doctrine sent the troops to set things back to right.
(But kept the sweatshops running and the wages held down tight.)

Bush, 2002

When Venezuela’s Chávez redistributed oil wealth to the poor,
Bush backed a coup attempt (though it failed, and that we know for sure).
The Dubroe Doctrine said, “We’re spreading freedom’s light!”
(But somehow “freedom” meant their oil was our right!)

Obama, 2009

When Honduras ousted Zelaya in a middle-of-the-night,
Obama condemned it publicly (but whispered, “It’s alright.”)
The Barackroe Doctrine spoke of ideals so rare and fine.
(Then recognized the regime and kept the aid pipeline.)

Trump, 2020

When private mercenaries tried to kidnap Venezuela’s head,
Trump swore he knew nothing of the scheme (or that is what he said).
The Donroe Doctrine, take one, with a contract signed in ink!
(The plot collapsed in hours; even coups need time to think.)

Biden, 2021

When Venezuela’s crisis deepened under sanctions’ heavy weight,
Biden kept Trump’s policies and Maduro’s crushing fate.
The Joeroe Doctrine said, “We stand for human rights!”
(But sanctions starved the people through the darkest days and nights.)

Trump, 2025

When Venezuela wouldn’t bow to what Trump thought was fair,
“All options are on the table, including military action there!”
The Donroe Doctrine, he proclaimed, was bigger than before.
(Two hundred years of meddling, and he wanted even more.)

Coda

So when you hear them speaking of protecting what is “ours,”
Of hemispheric safety and defending freedom’s powers,
Remember every doctrine from Monroe to present day:
It’s always been about control, no matter what they say.

Unsolicited
Current Events
Hemisphere
Laura Gerling
© 2026

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