During remarks made aboard Air Force One on Sunday, President Donald Trump outlined a potential expansion of U.S. military interventions in Latin America, focusing principally on Venezuela but extending his attention to Colombia and Mexico. The president underscored that if the existing Venezuelan administration fails to aid in stabilizing the nation, the United States may consider deploying further military force.
Specifically, Trump issued a direct warning to Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who has assumed interim control following judicial orders after President Nicolás Maduro's apprehension. "She will face a situation probably worse than Maduro," Trump emphasized, indicating the serious consequences at stake should cooperation not be forthcoming.
Alongside his comments on Venezuela, Trump also addressed the status of Cuba, identified as a close ally of Venezuela. The president remarked that Cuba "looks like it’s ready to fall" unless military intervention occurs, implying that the island nation is vulnerable and may be drawn into forthcoming actions.
Turning his focus to Colombia, Trump strongly criticized President Gustavo Petro, labeling him a "sick man" overseeing operations he described as "cocaine mills and cocaine factories." When questioned about the prospect of U.S. military strikes in Colombia aimed at disrupting drug trafficking flows into the United States, Trump responded affirmatively, stating, "Sounds good to me," thus leaving the door open for potential intervention if the drug export issue is not addressed.
President Trump also voiced concerns over Mexico, highlighting the strong presence of drug cartels within the country. "Mexico has to get their act together," he asserted, suggesting that Mexico currently faces significant challenges in controlling illicit drug activities.
The president's statements arrive in the wake of recent U.S. airstrikes within Venezuela, which culminated in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Following his apprehension, Maduro was transported to a detention center in New York to face charges related to drug trafficking and alleged ties to terrorist organizations.
The military operation in Venezuela has garnered criticism from Democratic leaders in the United States, who describe the intervention as unconstitutional, reckless, and driven by the nation's interest in accessing Venezuelan oil resources. This view contrasts with commendations from technology entrepreneur Elon Musk, who praised the outcome as a political triumph and a decisive message to authoritarian regimes globally.
Adding to the discourse, former U.S. envoy Richard Haass suggested that the removal of Maduro may be motivated not purely by justice considerations but also by ambitions to secure access to Venezuela’s significant oil reserves, potentially aimed at generating profits.