WASHINGTON (Web Desk) – US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions across Latin America after issuing blunt warnings to the leaders of Colombia, Mexico and Cuba just hours after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and transferred him to a prison in New York.
Read also: Why Nicolás Maduro was arrested and taken to a New York jail
Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort and during a televised interview, Trump framed the dramatic operation as essential for regional stability, but his rhetoric suggested the move could mark the beginning of a wider confrontation in the hemisphere.
Trump directly targeted Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a vocal critic of the US military action in Venezuela, accusing him of facilitating drug trafficking into the United States. He warned Petro to “watch his back” and alleged that cocaine production was taking place under his watch.
Turning to Mexico, Trump questioned the authority of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, claiming that organised crime had effectively taken control of the country. While calling her “a good woman,” he insisted that drug cartels, not the Mexican government, were in charge and warned that “something’s going to have to be done.”
The comments sparked immediate backlash. President Sheinbaum strongly condemned the US military operation against Maduro, calling on Washington to end what she described as acts of aggression against Venezuela and its people. Petro also denounced the intervention as an attack on Latin American sovereignty.
Trump further escalated his rhetoric by labelling Cuba a “failing nation” and hinting at increased pressure on the communist-run island due to its close ties with Venezuela. Cuba has long provided security assistance to Maduro’s government and relies heavily on Venezuelan oil supplies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the administration’s hardline stance, suggesting Cuban leaders should be concerned about Washington’s next steps.
Trump said his administration’s aggressive posture was aimed at ensuring stability, energy security and US dominance in the hemisphere, stressing the strategic importance of Venezuela’s vast energy resources.
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