Caribbean Matters: Democratic Rep. Nydia Velázquez calls for an end to the Monroe Doctrine

The United States has had a checkered and often ugly history in policies toward and relationships with our Caribbean and Latin American neighbors, going back to our birth as a nation. The Monroe Doctrine, crafted by President James Monroe, a founding father who was also a major slaveholder, and expanded by Theodore Roosevelt in his 1905 Corollary, has shaped the history of U.S. invasions and interventions up to this day.

Before Congress shut down for its year-end break, I was elated to see that Democratic Rep. Nydia Velázquez of New York has raised the issue of ending that age-old policy via a resolution co-sponsored by Reps. Greg Casar of Texas, Jesus G. "Chuy" Garcia  and Delia C. Ramirez of Illinois, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

The resolution has been virtually ignored by the U.S. media.

Caribbean Matters is a weekly series from Daily Kos. If you are unfamiliar with the region, check out Caribbean Matters: Getting to know the countries of the Caribbean.