The naval problem behind the Roosevelt Corollary

Roosevelt could oppose European intervention, but unpaid Latin American debts gave European governments a concrete reason to blockade or coerce debtor states. His corollary answered by having the United States act first, handling enforcement with American power before European fleets established the precedent. The United States would effectively serve as regional bailiff rather than leave debt collection to British or German warships. That policy required a navy other powers believed could actually carry out the promise.