Todo Concostrina – “La Doctrina Donroe: ‘América para los americanos’, y si hay que robar, se roba”

Host: Nieves Concostrina (with Carlos)
Date: January 30, 2025
Podcast: SER Podcast, Cadena SER, “Acontece que no es poco”

Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina delves into the origins, manipulation, and enduring consequences of the Monroe Doctrine—a 200-year-old US policy encapsulated by the phrase “America for the Americans.” Through her trademark irreverent and direct style, Concostrina unpacks how this doctrine, born in the early 19th century, has been reinterpreted to justify US intervention and expansionism in Latin America, drawing sharp parallels to current US political rhetoric, particularly under Donald Trump—now humorously dubbed “Doctrina Dunroe.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Historical Origins of the Monroe Doctrine

• Context

  • [03:24] The Monroe Doctrine was proclaimed by US President James Monroe in December 1823, warning European powers against further colonization in the Americas.
  • The US promised to stay out of European affairs in return.

• Quote:

  “Por la condición de libres e independientes que han asumido [los países americanos]… no deben ser considerados en adelante sujetos de futura colonización por ninguna potencia europea.”
  (Nieves, 05:17; quoting Monroe)

• Satirical Contextualization:

  • Nieves notes the often-comic geographical ignorance in the US:

    “Explícale eso a un tipo de un pueblo de Kentucky... que se cree que los dinosaurios se extinguieron porque Noé no tenía sitio para ellos en la barca.”
    (Nieves, 03:34)

2. The Doctrine’s Double Standards & Early Manipulations

• Alleged Solidarity vs. Realpolitik

  • Initially, recently independent Latin American countries believed the US and UK were sincere protectors, but both powers pursued their own interests.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Ellos también se comprometían a no meter mano en Europa... América para los americanos, decían.”
    (Nieves, 06:51)

  • Countries like Mexico and Argentina were grateful, but the US stood by as Britain took the Falklands (Malvinas) and kept other holdings, ignoring its own “America for Americans” slogan.

• Victim Perspective:

  “¿Dónde estaban los de la Doctrina Monroe?... Los estadounidenses no movieron ni un dedo contra los británicos.”
  (Nieves, 08:15)

3. Evolution into Expansionism & Interventionism

• Successive Reinterpretations by US Presidents

  • [09:43] Polk used it to justify invading Mexico, annexing over half its territory after Mexico refused to cede Texas.
    • Quote:

      “¿No me das Texas? Pues te quito el doble para hacer Putin. Así fue.”
      (Nieves, 09:50)

  • Rutherford B. Hayes extended it to claim exclusive influence over Central America and the Caribbean.
  • William McKinley took Puerto Rico and Cuba; Roosevelt claimed the right to intervene anywhere in the hemisphere.
    • Quote:

      “Llega Teddy Roosevelt y dice que la Doctrina Monroe significa que podemos intervenir en los asuntos internos de cualquier nación americana si consideramos que no se portan bien.”
      (Nieves, 10:38)

• Thirty-Plus Interventions

  • [11:01] “Con este morro han llevado a cabo treinta y tantas intervenciones.” (Nieves)

4. Doctrinal Relevance in the Present: The ‘Doctrina Dunroe’

• Current Application & Trump
  • The doctrine is cited anew with Donald Trump’s return to prominence—now parodied as “Doctrina Dunroe.”
    • Quote:

      “¿Por qué Donald Trump no va a comprar Groenlandia a Dinamarca, aunque Dinamarca no quiera?... Y si Trump quiere el petróleo, pues a por ella.”
      (Nieves, 11:27)

• Global Complicity and Hypocrisy
  • Criticism of the world’s tepid response to aggressors, past and present.
    • Quote:

      “La comunidad internacional se deshará en declarar absurdas y grandilocuentes... No sé, lo mismo que han estado 15 meses pidiéndole a Israel que por favor no asesine a más niños. No haga esto. Y hablando de nazis...”
      (Nieves, 11:44)

  • Clear comparison to early Nazi expansionism—playing “Monopoly” with maps before the world woke up.

5. Relevant Anniversaries & Reflection

• [12:51] Carlos notes the connection with Auschwitz’s 80th anniversary, reinforcing the warning from history.
  • Carlos:

    “No está mal haber recordado esto en la semana en la que estamos de los 80 años de Auschwitz. Está muy bien haberlo recordado.”

  • Nieves (resigned):

    “Bueno, ya te digo a ti que no.” [That it won’t help.]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the misleading notion “América para los americanos”:
  • “Eso no huele. Eso apesta a paternalismo.” (Nieves, 07:20)
• On US rebranding of “America” as uniquely theirs:
  • “Nos hemos dejado contaminar. América no es Estados Unidos... Estados Unidos es solo Estados Unidos.” (Nieves, 02:39)
• On Trump’s plans:
  • “Y si hay que robar, se roba.” (Episode title & recurring theme)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:57 — Introduction of the Monroe Doctrine & current events parallel
• 03:34 — Historical context of Monroe Doctrine’s proclamation
• 05:30 — US-UK partnership to block European influence in the Americas
• 06:48 — Exact wording of the original Doctrine
• 09:35 — Start of the expansionist, interventionist reinterpretations
• 10:38 — Doctrinal justification for interventions (Roosevelt’s era)
• 11:23 — Modern invocations: “Doctrina Dunroe” and Trump
• 12:51 — Auschwitz anniversary, lessons (or lack thereof) from history

Overall Tone & Style

The conversation is irreverent, critical, and sprinkled with humor and biting asides—true to Concostrina’s style. There’s skepticism toward official U.S. narratives and a consistent spotlight on historical manipulation and selective memory.

Conclusion

This episode reveals not only the original intent and context of the Monroe Doctrine, but—through vivid examples, sharp wit, and historical parallels—how it has been twisted across centuries to justify naked self-interest, expansion, and intervention by the United States. From Monroe to Trump, Concostrina suggests the same logic prevails, summarized in the sardonic phrase: “América para los americanos, y si hay que robar, se roba.”