Next Trump’s target countries after Venezuela – Report
US President Donald Trump’s second term is increasingly being defined by an assertive and confrontational foreign policy, with a series of sharp warnings and actions directed at countries within and beyond Washington’s traditional sphere of influence.
Trump recently followed through on threats against Venezuela, overseeing a dramatic overnight operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from their heavily fortified residence. In describing the operation, Trump invoked the 1823 Monroe Doctrine — which asserts US influence in the Western Hemisphere — rebranding it the “Donroe Doctrine” as a symbol of renewed American dominance.
Following the Venezuela operation, Trump issued pointed remarks and warnings aimed at several other countries.
Greenland
Trump has reiterated his desire for the United States to take control of Greenland, citing national security concerns. Speaking to journalists, he said, “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security,” claiming the region was “covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, lies about 2,000 miles northeast of the US and is rich in rare earth minerals critical for smartphones, electric vehicles and military equipment. China currently dominates global rare earth production, far outpacing the United States.
The island also occupies a strategic position in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, where melting ice is expected to open new shipping routes. The US already operates the Pituffik Space Base on the island.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, firmly rejected Trump’s comments, describing the idea of US control as a “fantasy.”
“No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation. We are open to dialogue. We are open to discussions. But this must happen through the proper channels and with respect for international law,” he said.
Colombia
Just hours after the Venezuela operation, Trump issued a blunt warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, telling him to “watch his ass.”
Colombia, Venezuela’s western neighbour, holds significant oil reserves and is a major producer of gold, silver, emeralds, platinum and coal. It is also a central hub in the regional drug trade, particularly cocaine.
Since September, the US has carried out strikes on boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, claiming they were transporting drugs. These actions have fuelled a growing dispute with Petro’s left-wing government. In October, Washington imposed sanctions on Colombia, accusing Petro of allowing drug cartels to “flourish.”
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump described Colombia as being “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,” adding, “He’s not going to be doing it for very long.” When asked if the US might carry out an operation targeting Colombia, Trump replied, “It sounds good to me.”
Historically, Colombia has been one of Washington’s closest allies in the war on drugs, receiving hundreds of millions of dollars annually in US military assistance.
Iran
Trump also issued a warning to Iran amid ongoing anti-government protests. He said the Iranian authorities would be “hit very hard” if more protesters were killed.
“We’re watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States,” he told reporters.
Although Iran falls outside the geographical scope of the so-called “Donroe Doctrine,” Trump has repeatedly threatened further action against Tehran. Last year, the US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities following a major Israeli operation aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear programme, which led to a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran.
Iran was reportedly a key topic during a recent meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, with US media reporting discussions about possible new strikes in 2026.
Mexico
Trump’s political rise has long been tied to hardline rhetoric on Mexico, particularly his calls to “Build the Wall” along the southern border. On his first day back in office in 2025, he signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.”
He has repeatedly accused Mexican authorities of failing to stop the flow of drugs and illegal migrants into the US. Speaking on Sunday, Trump said drugs were “pouring” through Mexico and warned that “we’re gonna have to do something,” describing Mexican cartels as “very strong.”
Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, has publicly rejected any suggestion of US military action on Mexican soil.
Cuba
Trump also commented on Cuba, saying US military intervention was unnecessary because the country was “ready to fall.”
“I don’t think we need any action,” he said. “It looks like it’s going down.”
Trump added that Cuba had lost a major source of income following the collapse of Venezuela’s leadership, noting, “They got all their income from Venezuela, from Venezuelan oil.”
Venezuela reportedly supplies about 30% of Cuba’s oil, leaving the island vulnerable if supplies are disrupted.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, echoed the administration’s hardline stance, saying on Saturday: “If I lived in Havana, and I was in the government, I’d be concerned — at least a little bit.”
“When the president speaks, you should take him seriously,” Rubio added…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>