Fresh from announcing a large-scale US strike in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump has turned his attention to the wider region.
The US president made it clear that Washington believes the problem of narco-terrorism does not stop at Venezuela’s borders and that Mexico, Cuba and Colombia could face consequences if they fail to act.
Trump suggested the US was ready to take tougher measures, including the deployment of ground troops, to counter drug networks and what he sees as hostile regimes or weak leadership enabling them.
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Trump on Cuba
Speaking about Cuba, Trump said that the island nation was in serious decline and would soon demand greater attention from Washington. While speaking with Fox News, he said his administration’s focus was on helping ordinary Cubans, particularly those who had fled hardship and rebuilt their lives in the United States.
Presenting his comments as humanitarian in intent, Trump said, “We want to help the people.” He also suggested that Cuba could become a new flashpoint in US foreign policy following the Venezuela operation.
Trump on Colombia
Trump threw some of the harshest words at Colombian President Gustavo Petro. “They're sending it into the United States. So he does have to watch his a,” Trump said. He added that Petro, who has aligned himself politically with Maduro, would need to be careful.
Petro, however, has pushed back strongly against Washington, accusing the US of violating United Nations principles and claiming that at least one strike near Venezuela’s coast had hit civilian targets.
Trump on Mexico
Then, turning to Mexico, Trump claimed drug cartels effectively controlled large parts of the country of Claudia Sheinbaum.
“They're running Mexico. I've asked her numerous times would you like us to take out the cartels,” he said. Trump added that Sheinbaum was intimidated by criminal groups and that continued refusals left Washington with limited options.
