Suddenly, Communists Are Everywhere

The Trump administration has resurrected Cold War rhetoric against communism, with President Trump mentioning the threat of communism 15 times in a speech at Wheeler High School in Georgia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened international leaders to combat a "transnational threat" from far-left forces, characterizing communism as a "distinctive and unique evil."

The State Department released a report labeling Cuba as a threat to American security, despite the island nation's economic struggles following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Critics argue that the administration is using communism as a boogeyman to distract from domestic issues and portray Democrats as anti-American ahead of the midterms.

Others see it as a way to assert American influence in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in light of recent regime changes in Venezuela and Cuba. Some argue that the rhetoric is a desperate attempt by an unpopular president to boost his party's election prospects. Regardless of the motivation, the administration's focus on communism has already influenced other Latin American governments to portray pro-democracy protesters as Marxists, justifying crackdowns on dissent.