In 1902, Luis María Drago, then the Foreign Minister of Argentina, proposed the Drago Doctrine as a principle of international law. He formulated it in response to the armed intervention by Britain, Germany, and Italy in Venezuela, where these European powers used military force to collect unpaid foreign debts.
Drago asserted that no foreign power should use force to collect public debts from sovereign American nations. The Monroe Doctrine, which opposed European colonialism and intervention in the Americas, heavily influenced his stance. While the Monroe Doctrine protected American territories from European political interference, the Drago Doctrine extended this protection to economic sovereignty, particularly in Latin America.
Drago grounded his argument in the belief that nations must respect sovereignty and resolve economic disputes through peaceful arbitration instead of military coercion. He feared that allowing armed intervention for debt collection would undermine national independence, especially of weaker nations.
Although the Drago Doctrine was never formally adopted by international law, it influenced several diplomatic agreements. Notably, the Porter Convention of 1907 at The Hague Peace Conference incorporated aspects of Drago’s ideas. The Convention prohibited the use of force to recover contract debts. Unless the debtor nation refused arbitration or failed to comply with arbitration rulings.
The Drago Doctrine marked a pivotal moment in Latin American diplomatic history. It asserted a collective stance against imperialism and promoted legal dispute resolution. It also reinforced the principle that economic power should not justify military aggression.
In modern times, the doctrine continues to inspire debates on sovereign debt and intervention policies. It also influences international legal norms, especially regarding the rights of developing countries.
In conclusion, the Drago Doctrine emphasized peaceful diplomacy over force. It set a precedent for the non-intervention principle. It also helped shape the evolving landscape of international law in the 20th century.
