Donald Trump Says He Has Shifted Latin American Governments to the Right

Donald Trump says Latin America has changed politically, with governments moving “from the left to the right” and building closer ties with Washington.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, Trump offered a geopolitical assessment of the region and credited his administration with helping drive the shift. “Our continent really is turning out very differently from what it was. They have gone from the left to the right. Everyone is going to the right,” he said.

Trump contrasted the current situation with two years earlier, when he said several countries did not respect the United States. He said bilateral relations have since improved and that the United States is doing well in South America and across the wider region.

He pointed to Colombia and Argentina as examples. Trump cited Abelardo de la Espriella’s arrival in Colombia after Gustavo Petro, following a period of diplomatic friction between Bogotá and Washington. Trump, who supported De la Espriella in the presidential runoff, claimed some credit for the result, recalling that the candidate had not been considered the favorite.

Trump also highlighted his close relationship with Argentina’s Javier Milei, saying he had helped multiple political figures win elections there. On Brazil, governed by Lula da Silva, Trump said relations remain adequate despite differences between the two administrations. Lula is set to face Flávio Bolsonaro in presidential elections scheduled for October.

According to EFE, Lula’s Brazil and Claudia Sheinbaum’s Mexico currently represent the region’s left-leaning governments. Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador and Peru were described as part of a bloc aligned with the White House’s positions.

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Our continent really is turning out very differently from what it was. They have gone from the left to the right. Everyone is going to the right.