US government records reveal Latin American leaders have spent millions hiring Washington’s top lobbyists to push for various requests heard by the Trump administration. Department of Justice records show that since the lead-up to Donald Trump’s election, at least 10 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have registered their top officials and envoys as foreign principals under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (Fara). This move aims to promote transparency by requiring disclosure of activities and compensation by foreign agents.

Under Trump, a more transactional approach to influencing government has emerged, with personal relationships with the far right in Latin America granting direct access to the White House. Leaders like El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele have seen significant returns on their lobbying efforts, securing meetings with Trump and various deals and assurances. Argentina’s Javier Milei has also strategically engaged with Trump, leading to potential trade deals and IMF agreements.

Various countries across the hemisphere are playing Trump’s transactional game to advance their interests and gain favor, with lobbyists like Damian Merlo and firms like Tactic Global facilitating these connections. Notable figures like Mauricio Claver-Carone and Marco Rubio are key players in Trump’s Latin America policy, with a focus on issues like Cuba and regional affairs.

Latin America’s increased lobbying efforts in Washington reflect a desire to secure influence and prioritize the region under the current administration. Analysts suggest that Latin American leaders will continue to leverage these connections to pursue their interests, especially given the region’s growing relevance in US foreign policy discussions.