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More than 200 years ago, President James Monroe established a simple principle: the security of the United States is directly tied to the security of the Western Hemisphere. Today, that principle is just as vital. With communist China expanding its influence throughout Latin America and transnational criminal organizations threatening American communities, it is time to reaffirm the Monroe Doctrine and put American interests first in our own hemisphere.

President Donald Trump 's efforts to expand military training and security cooperation with Latin American partners represent the exact forward-thinking America First policies our national security demands.…