MUNICH – In a pointed display at the Munich Security Conference on February 17, 2026, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz presented a blue cap emblazoned with the slogan “Make UN Great Again.” The gesture, witnessed by numerous world leaders, ministers, and strategic thinkers, signals a potential shift in U.S. Policy toward the United Nations under the returning Trump administration.
The cap wasn’t simply a symbolic accessory, but a deliberate message, according to reports from Spanish newspaper El Mundo. It echoes the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement that propelled Donald Trump back into office, suggesting a similar ambition to reshape the UN and reassert American primacy on the global stage.
Waltz’s presentation of the cap at the prominent geopolitical forum underscored Washington’s vision for a radical reform of the United Nations, including a reduction in its institutional autonomy. The move has been interpreted as a warning that the United States is no longer willing to support the current multilateral system without significant changes.
The Message Behind the Cap
The cap’s appearance was no accident, serving as a direct extension of the political slogan that brought Trump back to power. However, this time, the focus isn’t domestic policy, but rather the United Nations itself.
During the Munich Security Conference, Waltz used the symbol to reinforce the strategic outlook from Washington: a sweeping overhaul of the UN and a curtailment of its independent authority. Diplomats believe this signals a willingness to challenge the status quo.
Sources indicate that the U.S. Is prepared to initiate a process of change, a move that some in Europe fear could threaten Chile’s aspirations.
Trump’s New Order
The cap embodies the political ideology that fueled Trump’s return to the White House, but with a new target: the UN. Ambassador Waltz articulated the administration’s intentions at the conference, stating the U.S. Wants the UN to “get back to basics,” streamlining its structure and concentrating on specific strategic interests rather than operating as a self-governing global bureaucracy.
European diplomats view this as a clear indication that the United States intends to redesign the organization from within, potentially seeking more direct political control over its operations.
The Veto Factor and Trump’s Influence
The selection of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations is a complex process. While the General Assembly formally makes the decision, the real power lies within the Security Council, which determines the candidate presented to the wider body.
The Council’s permanent members, including the United States, hold veto power, allowing them to block any candidate deemed incompatible with their strategic interests. This means no nominee can turn into Secretary-General without Washington’s explicit or implicit approval.
This dynamic presents a significant obstacle for Michelle Bachelet, who was formally nominated on February 2, 2026, to succeed current Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term ends December 31, 2026. Bachelet’s candidacy gained regional support and was bolstered by her experience as the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
However, the shifting geopolitical landscape, with Trump’s return to the White House in 2025, has fundamentally altered the situation. The display at the Munich Security Conference, where the ambassador showcased the “Make UN Great Again” cap, was interpreted as a direct political warning.
According to specialized media reports, Trump’s agenda doesn’t favor an autonomous or independent Secretary-General, but rather a figure aligned with his strategic vision or, at the particularly least, one who won’t impede his global objectives. The U.S. Veto power becomes a crucial instrument influencing the entire process.
Support for Chile
Chile isn’t pursuing Bachelet’s candidacy alone. The nomination is part of a diplomatic strategy supported by Mexico and Brazil, aiming to position the region in a leadership role within the world’s primary multilateral organization, a goal that is becoming increasingly challenging.
Bachelet’s candidacy likewise aligns with the growing push for a female Secretary-General. Her experience as a two-time President of Chile and former UN human rights chief positions her as a strong contender with extensive international experience.
However, this regional support isn’t decisive. The selection of the Secretary-General isn’t solely based on diplomatic legitimacy or experience, but on the balance of power among major nations, where the role of the United States is paramount.
Argentina’s Candidate and Internal Dispute
The situation is further complicated by the emergence of Rafael Grossi, the current Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, as a potential candidate. He is widely recognized within the international diplomatic system and may garner broad support, particularly from countries seeking a technically proficient negotiator.
Grossi’s potential candidacy introduces direct competition within Latin America, potentially dividing regional political capital. This fragmentation weakens Latin America’s negotiating position when facing major powers.
This internal competition isn’t just a diplomatic dispute. it’s a factor that external actors could exploit to influence the final outcome.
Expert Analysis
Bío Bío spoke with international policy experts about whether the U.S. Government’s “campaign” would affect Bachelet’s chances of leading the UN.
Edgardo Riveros, a lawyer and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs during Michelle Bachelet’s second term, noted that candidacies for the UN Secretary-General “aren’t projected based solely on current events, but on the development of the United Nations and looking at medium- and long-term perspectives.”
He added, “Clearly, all events must be evaluated, they must be incorporated as contextual elements… we know that one of the elements when conducting an analysis is the uncertainty generated by the actions of the U.S. Government, led by President Trump, because they generate uncertainty precisely due to a variable behavior, a particularly variable behavior in words.”
Paz Zárate, a lawyer specializing in international affairs, indicated that “it is too early to speculate on the position of the powers (including the U.S.) regarding the candidacies for the UN Secretary-General. Only two have been formalized (the Argentine Grossi and the Chilean Bachelet, who is also supported by Brazil and Mexico).”
However, she added that “from the interventions of U.S. Government representatives at the recent Munich Security Conference, one can read consistency with the country’s foreign policy, recently made explicit in the document called “National Security Strategy”” and that “facts are worth more than words, and Trump in fact is undermining the UN by raising an alternative organization, the so-called “Peace Board,” which for now only brings together dictators and authoritarian and populist governments. Given that Grossi, Bachelet and Greenspan all have an important history of commitment to the organization, Trump’s interest in any of them should be low.”
