After Venezuela, Trump hints at US military intervention in these countries

US military operation in Venezuela followed months of rising tensions, during which Washington sank more than 30 suspected drug-smuggling vessels since September 2025

The US military operation in Venezuela has raised concerns about who else may be on President Donald Trump’s firing line. On January 3, the US launched a large-scale operation in Venezuela's capital Caracas and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

 

The Trump administration said the action was a law enforcement mission to arrest Maduro on charges including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.

 

The operation followed months of rising tensions, during which the US military sank more than 30 suspected drug-smuggling vessels since September 2025. While Trump earlier said the US would "run the country" during a transition, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later said Washington does not plan to govern Venezuela directly.

 

 

After Venezuela, Trump has hinted at possible US military intervention in other countries. Here is a list of nations facing increased pressure from the US.

Greenland

Trump has repeatedly claimed that Greenland is crucial for America's "national security". After the strike on Venezuela, Trump on Sunday repeated his calls for a US takeover of the island, which is rich in minerals.

 

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said, "It’s so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it."

 

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected Trump’s remarks, saying he has "no right to annex" Greenland. She said Denmark already gives the US broad access to the island under existing security agreements.

Cuba

Tensions have also risen in Cuba, a key ally of Venezuela. Trump has stated that Cuba’s economy would worsen after Maduro’s removal, as Venezuela had supplied Cuba with cheap oil.

 

"I think it's just going to fall. I don't think we need any action. It looks like it's going down for the count," he said.

 

The US already has multiple sanctions in place for Cuba.

 

Cuban authorities called rallies in support of Venezuela and condemned the US operation, warning that "the threat hangs over all of us", the Associated Press reported.

 

US-Cuba ties have remained tense since the 1959 Cuban revolution. Marco Rubio, son of Cuban immigrants, said Cuban officials were present with Maduro before his capture. "It was Cubans that guarded Maduro," Rubio said. "He was not guarded by Venezuelan bodyguards. He had Cuban bodyguards."

Colombia

Trump also hinted at possible military action against Colombia, sharply criticising its leadership over drug trafficking. Speaking on Air Force One, Trump accused Colombia’s government of links to the cocaine trade, an apparent reference to President Gustavo Petro.

 

"Colombia is very sick, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US, and he’s not going to be doing it very long," Trump said.

 

When asked if the US would consider military action, Trump replied, "It sounds good to me."

Mexico

Trump also warned Mexico against supplying drugs to the US. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump said, "Mexico has to get their act together because [drugs] are pouring through Mexico, and we're going to have to do something. We'd love Mexico to do it. They're capable of doing it, but unfortunately... the cartels are running Mexico."