Trump threatens Colombia strike and Venezuela follow-up

Monday 05 January 2026 - 13:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Trump threatens Colombia strike and Venezuela follow-up

President Donald Trump issued a barrage of threats against Colombia and Venezuela on Sunday while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, signaling an aggressive foreign policy stance toward multiple nations after the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Queried on "Operation Colombia," Trump replied a military move against the country "sounds good to me." "Colombia is very sick too, led by a sick man who loves making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he won't be doing it much longer," he said, referencing President Gustavo Petro. The remarks followed U.S. forces' bold raid seizing Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela's capital.

Trump warned of a "second strike" on Venezuela if "they don't behave." Asked who runs Venezuela, he shot back: "That means we're in charge." Venezuela's Supreme Court named Vice President Delcy Rodríguez interim president post-capture, but Trump told reporters Saturday she appeared "essentially willing to do what's necessary to make Venezuela great again."

Trump extended warnings beyond Latin America, threatening Iran would get "hit very hard" by the U.S. if more protesters die amid demonstrations entering their second week. "We're watching very closely. If they start killing people like they've done in the past, I think they're going to get hit very hard by the United States," he said. He claimed Cuba stood "ready to fall" after Maduro's removal, a key ally. "Cuba is ready to fall," Trump told reporters, noting Havana would struggle without heavily subsidized Venezuelan oil. He revealed "many Cubans were killed" in the U.S. operation, referring to Cuban security personnel guarding Maduro.

Trump reiterated claims that Greenland should belong to the United States, despite Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urging the U.S. to stop "threatening" the territory. "We need Greenland from a national security standpoint, and Denmark won't be able to do it," he said. Frederiksen issued a statement Sunday asserting the U.S. has "no right to annex" Danish territories. Trump also said Mexico must "get its act together" on drug trafficking, while claiming good relations with President Claudia Sheinbaum.