Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Bombshell Cuba Report Compels Donroe Doctrine Action

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on July 16: “The Cuban regime’s sprawling intelligence and ideological network helped to build the far left in our country and our hemisphere.” Rubio must determine who within the State Department (DOS) is helping far-left Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo impede President Donald Trump’s larger agenda in this key country.

DOS has portrayed Arévalo as a counterterrorism partner despite evidence that Guatemala is a narco-state. Rubio needs to immediately identify bad actors and clean house. En route to structural reforms, there also needs to be a comprehensive review from the Inspector General.

The espionage section of DOS’s July 20 CUBA report describes Cuba’s Dirección de Inteligencia (DI) operation, including convicted spies Victor Rocha, Ana Montes, and others. Besides these types of agents, the DI recruits from US universities “ideologically sympathetic young Americans who will ascend to positions of influence, power, and access.”

This long-term strategy has created a lower-level network in our government that exerts persistent influence without triggering high-level alarms. It is one way the DI manipulates US policy, such as protecting Arévalo.

Trump’s White House team must support and be involved with Rubio’s efforts. They should encourage Congress to investigate DOS and report findings to the public. Already aware of the larger problem, Trump must counter it for his Western Hemisphere Donroe Doctrine to succeed.

Trump posted a Lara Logan interview of best-selling author Ralph Pezzullo and highly decorated former CIA operations officer and counterterrorism leader Gary Berntsen. Referring to “formidable” Cuban intelligence, Logan asked “how penetrated is the US government?” Pezzullo replied, “completely, deeply, especially in Latin American affairs.” Berntsen said, “our enemies have taken over the direction of our foreign policy.”

Pezzullo and Berntsen describe China as an indispensable strategic partner to the Soles Cartel. Illustrative of Rubio’s statement and the CUBA report, DOS personnel have for years in Latin America consistently opposed our allies and supported our adversaries aligned with China.

Countries important for the Donroe Doctrine know this history and are watching. They are pragmatic and respond to visible competence, not rhetoric. Guatemala is now a litmus test for the doctrine’s success.

The Joe Biden regime and DI agents installed Arévalo to help flood the United States with illegal drugs and immigrants, and Biden DOS holdovers have continued this under Trump. In February, Trump removed two Biden officials, the ambassador and his deputy chief of mission (DCM).

Arévalo complained to DOS when new DCM John Barrett made it harder for Arévalo to illegally interfere with critical government processes. After only three months, DOS removed Barrett for Jorgan Andrews. Not coincidentally, Arévalo has resumed his criminal meddling.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth and SOUTHCOM commander General Francis Donovan have engaged with Arévalo to push a militarized partnership. Arévalo’s DOS comrades likely advise him how to react so that they can falsely portray him as an ally.

Arévalo attended the Puebla Group September 2023 meeting as a special guest, along with Delcy Rodríguez, Evo Morales, Manuel Zelaya, and other far-left, anti-US notables. Arévalo sent an Orwellian video message to Guatemalans from the event using its slogan “In unity we advance.”

Morales praised Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. He contended that US hegemony is in its terminal phase, after 200 years of an immoral and criminal Monroe Doctrine. This is why Arévalo has resisted being a US partner for the Donroe Doctrine.

Colombia and Ecuador are key countries for the doctrine. Under incoming Trump-endorsed  President Abelardo de la Espriella, Colombia—a narcotics source and transit country—can again become a strong US partner. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has taken an aggressive stance against gangs and narcotrafficking in this strategic transit point.

Mexico is a failed state. Once narcotics enter, they reach the US border. Guatemala offers an opportunity to choke off the supply before it enters Mexico. Having Guatemala as a real partner will demonstrate effectiveness, raise performance expectations, and build a mutually reinforcing network under the Donroe Doctrine.

Rubio and Trump have an opportunity to help their agenda by looking closely at Guatemala. During the last 16 years, Guatemalan deference to US ambassadors despite each having committed crimes to favor an anti-US agenda has made the post into a proconsul.

DOS personnel, Democrats, and fake news have, for two reasons, combined to derail Trump’s nominee for ambassador to Guatemala: Juan Rodriguez. First, it is undermining the Donroe doctrine; second, it is protecting DI agents in DOS.

Trump immediately needs a knowledgeable, capable person in charge of the US embassy to influence Guatemala’s authorities to apply the law. Trump and Rubio also need the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau under Plan Colombia rules of engagement and strategy to complement SOUTHCOM.

In addition to benefiting the United States, rooting out DI agents and reversing their harm in Guatemala will help US allies and hurt US enemies.

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Steve Hecht

Steve Hecht is a businessman, writer, and film producer, born and raised in New York. He has lived and worked in Guatemala since 1972. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Business Administration in Banking and Finance, both from Columbia University.

Latest posts by Steve Hecht (see all)

• Marco Rubio must walk the talk - July 22, 2026
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