FROM THE OUTSIDE: Trump and the Latin American Model

Maybe it’s time to recognize Donald Trump as the newest example of a Latin American dictator, or at least as the archetype of what novelists frequently portray as the Latin American tyrant, even if these representations stem from the past.

Indeed, Trump is of German heritage, raised and schooled in the United States. At first glance, he seems to have little in common with Latin Americans. However, the stereotype of the Latin American dictator wielding absolute power might serve as a reference for Trump’s administration.

In her analysis of novels featuring Latin American dictators, researcher Francisca Noguerol Jiménez from the University of Salamanca highlighted that the depicted despots exhibit “distinctive personality traits,” including messianism, savior patriotism, megalomania, necrophilia, and misanthropy.

Granted, Trump has not yet shown signs of necrophilia—an interest in death—but the others?

Trump aims to dominate all facets of power. His influence extends over Congress, not solely because of Republican majorities in both houses. Rather, it’s because party members are nearly always ready to vote as he wishes at any time on any issue—all under the banner of making America “great again.”

The central idea is that Trump aims to return the country to an idealized past when it controlled the world and had no social or economic problems. To achieve this, he plans to centralize power, punish his critics, shrink the government, and dictate what is right and wrong.

Above patriotism or party discipline lies loyalty to the leader.

Any Republican lawmaker who dares to show independence risks the wrath of their constituents—or worse, faces challengers to their reelection who wouldn’t have existed before their dissent.

Is an official loyal to the U.S. government but not directly to President Trump? They should automatically face termination, no matter their role. Were they involved in any way with the accusations against Trump? Their outcomes are predetermined, just like that of Christopher Wray, the FBI director appointed by Trump in 2017 for a ten-year term. The FBI’s responsibility to investigate claims against Trump has now placed Wray among those deemed disloyal, which has led to his anticipated departure three years before the end of his term.

At the same time, Trump’s selected candidate for FBI leadership, Kash Patel, has vowed to eliminate those he considers “unpatriotic” and foes of Trump.

Various reports suggest that the U.S. Armed Forces may experience a “purge” of individuals who are seen as anti-Trump or, more significantly, those who question the legality of certain orders—like deploying the military for domestic law enforcement.

Trump is not Latin America. But the model...