This paper aims to explore the overall role of the U.S. Foreign Policy’s consequences for demo-cratization in Latin America, in an era when Latin America has democratically elected left presi-dencies, and when new-born democracies (in most cases at least) are supposed to become con-solidated. After a historical overview of the U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America during the 20th century; showing that doubts consistently could be raised on the issue of U.S. democratic assistance and Latin America; the paper moves into three main parts. In the first part cases when the United States promoted democratic development and liberal democracy with capital-ism is explored. In the second, cases when the United States defeated democratic left-wing rule with strong anti-capitalism measurements is explored. Finally, the third part deals with the question that this paper conclusively attempts to address - what implications the U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America might have for democratic development and democratic setbacks when the region once more is facing the reality of democratically elected left presidents?