In a surprising turn of events, the U.S.’s action in Venezuela might signal broader international plans. Following the capture of the Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump has hinted at additional countries that could be on his radar, some uncomfortably close to American borders.
United States troops managed to execute an unexpected mission in Caracas this past weekend, successfully arresting Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores. They have since been transported to the United States, where they are expected to face legal proceedings. After the mission, Trump declared that the U.S. will administer Venezuela on a temporary basis until power can be handed over peacefully, calling the operation a triumph.
However, President Trump’s remarks post-capture have stirred further speculation and unease.
Colombia: A Named Prospect?
During a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump appeared to cast his gaze on Colombia. Sources note that he criticized Colombian President Gustavo Petro, calling him a “sick man” who allegedly profits from the cocaine trade to the United States. Trump ominously inferred that Petro’s activities might not continue much longer.
When probed by a journalist about whether Colombia could indeed face similar actions, Trump candidly replied:“It sounds good to me.”
These statements follow warnings from Trump to Petro, suggesting he needed to watch his back, whilst also dubbing him an “illegal drug leader.”
In response to Maduro’s capture, Petro fervently countered on social media, urging Trump to cease his accusations and rallying Latin America to unity to avoid subjugation to Western powers.
Focus Extends to Cuba and Mexico
Colombia may not sit alone in Trump’s sights. During his remarks, he also painted a dire picture of Cuba’s economy, which he implied is heavily reliant on Venezuelan oil. Without it, he suggested, Cuba’s financial stability is on shaky ground.
Cuba, according to Trump, is facing financial collapse. “Cuba is now without income since their funds primarily came from Venezuelan oil. Now, it’s all halted. Cuba could definitely be on the verge of falling,” he declared.
While hinting at a lesser likelihood of military intervention in Cuba, Trump issued a stirrer statement towards Mexico. He insisted that Mexico “must get their house in order” due to perpetual drug trafficking at the U.S. border and alluded to potential American intervention.
However, on a cordial note, he praised Mexico’s leader, Claudia Sheinbaum, as a “wonderful person,” yet lamented that the “cartels wield considerable influence in Mexico.”
Global Outcry and Disapproval
The aggressive stance adopted by Trump has received sharp criticism worldwide. Countries including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain have jointly expressed their concerns. They denounced the unilateral military engagement in Venezuela.
Their collective statement voiced apprehension and dismissed Trump’s actions as violations of vital international laws, setting a dangerous standard for regional peace and security.
However, Trump seems undeterred by the backlash. Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, he described the mission as “exceptionally executed,” attributing its success to “stellar, dedicated troops,” and criticized Maduro for allegedly transforming Venezuela into a “terrorist hub.”
Renewed Vision for Greenland
Buoyed by the successful operation in Venezuela, Trump has revisited a contentious proposition from his earlier presidency: acquiring the icy expanse of Greenland.
The White House reports that Trump views Greenland as critical for national security, aiming to prevent adversarial advances in the Arctic. Various avenues are being explored to achieve this goal, such as a financial transaction for the territory or establishing a partnership via a Compact of Free Association.
“Multiple strategies are on the table for this critical foreign policy objective, and naturally, military deployment remains an option under the Commander-in-Chief’s authority,” a White House release explained.
Despite this pursuit, Greenland, alongside Denmark, repeatedly rebuffs such notions, and influential political voices caution Trump against threatening an ally under NATO.
Nonetheless, a top official suggested that Trump remains resolute.
“This isn’t disappearing anytime soon,” a senior figure commented on Trump’s Greenland ambitions.
The Danish legislative foreign relations panel recently convened an emergency meeting to deliberate over such developments. Following the discussions, Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen confirmed that dialogues with the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been solicited, with purchase talks reportedly ongoing according to the Wall Street Journal.
