Trump Turns His Sights on Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico After Venezuela Shock

​The world is still reeling from the dramatic events in Venezuela. Over the weekend, a swift and powerful U.S. military operation resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. As the dust settles in Caracas, the focus is quickly shifting to what comes next for the rest of Latin America. President Donald Trump has made it clear that Venezuela was only the beginning. In a series of bold and controversial statements, he has issued direct warnings to Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico, signaling a massive shift in how Washington plans to handle its neighbors.

​This is not just about one country anymore. The capture of Maduro has sent shockwaves through the region, and many leaders are now wondering if they are next on the list. Trump’s approach is a return to a much more aggressive version of the Monroe Doctrine, where the U.S. asserts total dominance over the Western Hemisphere. The language being used is tough, the threats are specific, and the potential for further military action is high.

​The Warning to Colombia: Watch Your Step

​The most blunt and personal warning was directed at Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Trump has been a vocal critic of Petro for a long time, especially regarding Colombia’s role in the global drug trade. Following the operation in Venezuela, Trump did not hold back. He accused the Colombian leader of allowing major cocaine factories to operate within his borders and sending the drugs directly into the United States.

​Trump’s message to Petro was simple and crude: "He has to watch his ass." This kind of language is rare in international diplomacy, but it has become a hallmark of the current administration’s "America First" strategy. By targeting Petro, Trump is signaling that he is willing to use the same "narco-terrorism" justification used against Maduro to pressure other leaders. Colombia is currently one of the world's largest producers of cocaine, and Trump is making it clear that he views this as a direct national security threat that justifies intervention.

​President Petro, for his part, has condemned the U.S. action in Venezuela as a violation of sovereignty and an act of "state terrorism." He has already put his military on high alert along the border, fearing a massive influx of refugees or even a potential spillover of U.S. military operations into Colombian territory.

​Cuba: A Failing Nation in the Crosshairs

​Cuba has long been a thorn in the side of U.S. foreign policy, but the rhetoric has reached a boiling point. Trump has officially labeled Cuba a "failing nation" and suggested that it is next on the agenda for "discussion." The logic here is closely tied to Venezuela. For years, Cuba has provided security and intelligence support to the Maduro government. With Maduro gone, Cuba has lost its most important regional ally and its primary source of cheap oil.

​Trump’s team, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has hinted that Cuba’s involvement in protecting Maduro makes them complicit in his alleged crimes. Trump stated that the U.S. wants to "help the people" of Cuba, a phrase that often precedes talk of regime change. The administration has already ramped up sanctions, put Cuba back on the state sponsors of terrorism list, and restricted travel to the island.

​For the Cuban government, the capture of Maduro is a nightmare scenario. Not only is their economy in shambles, but they are now facing a U.S. administration that is proving it is willing to use military force to achieve its goals in the Caribbean. The fear in Havana is that the "Operation Absolute Resolve" seen in Venezuela could easily be adapted for a strike against the island.

​Mexico: Cartels vs Sovereignty

​Mexico is perhaps the most complex part of this new regional strategy. While Trump has called President Claudia Sheinbaum a "good woman," he has simultaneously claimed that she is not actually in control of her country. In his view, the drug cartels are the ones truly running Mexico. He alleged that Sheinbaum is "frightened" of these criminal organizations and has repeatedly turned down U.S. offers to send in military forces to "take them out."

​This creates a dangerous tension. Trump has indicated that "something has to be done" regarding Mexico, whether the Mexican government wants help or not. By designating cartels as "Foreign Terrorist Organizations," the Trump administration has already created the legal groundwork to use military force across the border.

​President Sheinbaum has remained firm on Mexico’s sovereignty, insisting that her country will handle its own security issues. However, with the precedent set by the capture of Maduro, the threat of unilateral U.S. strikes against cartel strongholds in Mexico is no longer just a theory. It is a very real possibility that could lead to a massive diplomatic and humanitarian crisis between the two largest economies in North America.

​A New Era of Intervention

​What we are seeing is the birth of the "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine. The message is that the U.S. will no longer wait for international consensus or local permission to act if it believes its interests are at stake. Whether it is drugs in Colombia, political ideology in Cuba, or cartel violence in Mexico, the administration is treating the entire region as a domestic security concern.

​This aggressive stance has triggered a global outcry. Leaders from France, Russia, China, and the European Union have all condemned the U.S. operation in Venezuela as a violation of international law. They argue that the unilateral kidnapping of a head of state sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to global chaos. But for Trump, the results speak for themselves: Maduro is in a New York prison, and the rest of the region is now on notice.

​What Lies Ahead for the Region?

​The coming weeks will be critical. In Venezuela, the U.S. is essentially "running" the country through a transitional team while trying to stabilize the economy and secure the oil fields. But the real story is how the neighboring countries will react. Will they bow to the pressure and cooperate with Washington’s demands on drugs and migration, or will they form a new coalition to resist what they see as American imperialism?

​The risks are enormous. Military interventions often have unintended consequences, including civil war, mass migration, and long-term instability. By threatening three major nations at once, Trump is gambling that his "show of force" in Venezuela will be enough to scare everyone else into line. However, if any of these countries resist, we could be looking at a much larger conflict that spans the entire continent.

​One thing is certain: the rules of the game in Latin America have changed. The era of "soft power" and diplomatic negotiation has been replaced by a period of raw power and direct action. As the world watches to see where the U.S. strikes next, the people of Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico are bracing for a future that looks increasingly uncertain and dangerous.