Drago, Luis María (1859–1921)

Argentine politician. As minister of foreign affairs under Julio A Roca, he objected to the blockade of Venezuelan ports in 1902 conducted by the UK, Italy, and Germany as a punitive measure for nonpayment of debt. He formulated the Drago Doctrine, which stated that public debt could not be used as an excuse for armed intervention in, or territorial occupation of, a state by European power. Although never universally adopted, his doctrine was influential in international law.