By Haifa Chairunisa
Donald Trump opened 2026 with an aggressive foreign-policy move, ordering U.S. forces to strike inside Venezuela and detain President Nicolás Maduro, an action that has drawn widespread criticism as a breach of international law.
The operation, carried out over the weekend in Caracas, marked a notable departure from Trump’s earlier opposition to overseas military involvement and has raised concerns among governments worldwide that Washington’s interventionist posture could widen.
Several countries have emerged as potential areas of focus following the Venezuela action.
Colombia
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro denounced the U.S. operation and called for an urgent UN Security Council session, warning that the intervention threatened regional sovereignty.
Trump defended the move by accusing Venezuela of harboring hostile foreign actors and expanding its weapons capabilities. He also suggested a more expansive U.S. role in Latin America, referencing a strengthened interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine. That stance aligns with the administration’s latest National Security Strategy, which emphasizes reasserting U.S. influence across the Western Hemisphere and safeguarding strategic interests.
Relations between Washington and Bogotá have deteriorated in recent months despite a long-standing security partnership. Trump has accused Petro of failing to address cocaine production, while Petro has warned that any U.S. military action against Colombia would amount to a declaration of war. Trump later indicated that intervention against Colombia was a possibility, remarks Petro said required careful clarification.
Cuba
Trump signaled that Cuba could also face renewed scrutiny, describing the island nation as unstable and suggesting that its leadership should take note of the U.S. action in Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the warning.
The president later tempered his comments, suggesting U.S. involvement might not be necessary. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the Venezuela operation but has yet to respond directly to Trump’s remarks regarding Cuba.
Greenland
Trump also revived his call for the United States to acquire Greenland, arguing that the Arctic territory is essential to U.S. defense amid increased Russian and Chinese activity in the region.
While he denied directly linking the idea to the Venezuela operation, Trump said American control of Greenland was a strategic necessity. Danish leaders quickly rejected the notion, reaffirming that Greenland is not subject to annexation.
Iran
Ahead of the Venezuela intervention, Trump issued a warning to Iran, saying the U.S. could act if Iranian authorities violently suppressed ongoing protests fueled by economic hardship.
Iranian officials dismissed the threat and warned of retaliation against U.S. interests. Tehran also condemned the Venezuela strike, calling it a violation of international law. The rhetoric follows last year’s U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, underscoring rising tensions.
Mexico
Trump has continued to criticize Mexico over drug trafficking, suggesting the U.S. may need to take action if cartel activity is not addressed. He said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had declined U.S. assistance to confront criminal groups.
Mexico has not directly responded to Trump’s latest comments but formally condemned the Venezuela operation, citing international norms against the use of force.
Analysts say Trump’s confrontational language does not always translate into sustained military campaigns. Instead, they argue, limited and highly visible actions are often used to pressure other governments into changing behavior.
With the Venezuela operation setting a new tone, uncertainty is growing over whether Trump’s threats will remain rhetorical or lead to further interventions.
Original article
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