President Donald Trump threatened potential military action against Colombia, Mexico and Cuba while renewing calls to annex Greenland, drawing sharp criticism from international allies following the weekend U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump specifically targeted Colombian President Gustavo Petro, claiming without evidence that Petro operates cocaine factories and suggesting military intervention. Asked if there would be a U.S. operation in Colombia, Trump responded that the prospect sounded good to him.
Trump also warned Mexico needs to address drug cartels operating within its borders, stating that cartels are running the country and that President Claudia Sheinbaum is frightened of them. Administration officials told the outlet Zeteo that Trump remains very interested in sending U.S. troops into Mexico to target cartel members.
The president repeated his assertion that the United States needs Greenland for national security reasons, describing the autonomous Danish territory as surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned the remarks, stating that the United States has no right to annex Greenland and calling the threats wrong and disrespectful.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen described Trump’s comments linking Greenland to Venezuela and military intervention as not just wrong, but deeply concerning. Denmark is a NATO ally of the United States.
Trump additionally threatened Iran, warning the country would be hit very hard if it kills peaceful protesters amid ongoing demonstrations over economic conditions.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Axios that the administration is reasserting and enforcing the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere, control migration, and stop drug trafficking.
Mexican President Sheinbaum rejected the notion of U.S. military action on Mexican soil, stating that Mexico categorically rejects intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. She emphasized that Mexico cooperates with the United States to prevent fentanyl and other drugs from reaching young people in both nations.
Colombian President Petro responded forcefully on social media, telling Trump to stop slandering him and calling on Latin America to unite against what he described as being treated as servants and slaves. Petro canceled a Colombian official’s U.S. visa in September after the official called on U.S. soldiers to disobey orders.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump’s approach in an interview with MSNBC, describing it as reckless and dangerous. Schumer said the American people are scratching their heads at Trump’s threats to other countries after the Venezuela operation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the administration wouldn’t directly govern Venezuela but would exert tremendous leverage through an oil quarantine.
The threats come as Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, face narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges in New York federal court. Both pleaded not guilty Monday afternoon at their first court appearance since being captured by U.S. forces in Caracas early Saturday morning.
Cuba issued a statement warning that all nations of the region must remain alert, as the threat hangs over all. Trump said Sunday that military intervention was unnecessary in Cuba because it was ready to fall, noting the island nation got all its income from Venezuelan oil.
Multiple countries, including Mexico and Colombia, condemned the U.S. operation in Venezuela as a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, which prohibits member states from using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of other nations.
