A delegation of progressive House members and Democratic candidates is traveling to Montevideo, Uruguay, this week to participate in the PanAmerican Congress. The group, led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), intends to challenge the "Donroe Doctrine," a term used to describe President Trump's foreign policy approach in Latin America. The conference is scheduled to take place from August 21 to August 23.
The PanAmerican Congress was established in 2024 to connect progressive leaders across the Americas and the Caribbean. This year's meeting occurs as several large Latin American economies have elected conservative governments. These administrations have generally supported President Trump's policies regarding drug trafficking and immigration, though they have faced criticism from opponents regarding their internal democratic practices and human rights records.
Rep. Jayapal and 10 other colleagues outlined their objections in an August 14 letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The lawmakers argued that the administration’s strategy involves the weaponization of tariffs, political interference in sovereign elections, and direct military force. The letter specifically cited a military offensive against suspected drug-runners in the Caribbean and a blockade against Cuba intended to force regime change as destabilizing actions.
The Trump administration has characterized its regional strategy as a collaborative effort to combat crime and illegal immigration while limiting the influence of China. Joining Rep. Jayapal in Uruguay is Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), along with several Democratic candidates, including Claire Valdez, Darializa Ávila Chevalier, Chris Rabb, and Dr. Adam Hamawy. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is scheduled to address the conference virtually to advocate for a coalition against authoritarianism and economic greed.
Voters in specific U.S. districts, such as New York’s 7th and 13th, Pennsylvania’s 3rd, and New Jersey’s 12th, will see their candidates engaging in high-level international diplomacy before the midterms. These candidates are testing whether a platform of "Pan-American solidarity" resonates with domestic voters concerned about the climate crisis and joint economic stability. If this progressive coalition successfully formalizes its partnership, it could set a precedent for legislative blocks in the U.S. House to coordinate directly with foreign leaders to bypass or challenge executive branch foreign policy.
The delegation's activities in Uruguay will likely influence future debates in the House over State Department funding and military authorizations. A central focus for the lawmakers is addressing what they term "democratic backsliding" and "neo-fascism" in the region, which they link to the current U.S. administration's endorsements. What happens next depends on the specific policy proposals emerging from the Montevideo forum between August 21 and 23, which former Colombian President Ernesto Samper stated should provide a "sensible response" to recent political shifts in the hemisphere.