After capturing Maduro, Trump hints at military action in Cuba, Mexico and Colombia
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and President Trump at the World Cup draw in December. Photo: Mandel Ngan/Pool/Getty Images
Hours after the U.S. invaded Venezuela to seize President Nicolás Maduro, President Trump sent a warning to the governments of Mexico, Cuba and Colombia that their countries could be next.
Why it matters: The stunning attack on Caracas follows Trump's recent assertion of his own version of the Monroe Doctrine, and the president's comments that the U.S is not afraid to put "boots on the ground" in the country suggest that the administration won't hesitate to have an ongoing presence in the region.
What he's saying: "I think Cuba is going to be something we'll end up talking about, because Cuba is a failing nation right now," Trump said when asked how the Caribbean country should be interpreting the Venezuelan operation.
- "We want to help the people. It's very similar in the sense that we want to help the people in Cuba, but we want to also help the people that were forced out of Cuba and living in this country."
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose parents fled Cuba, added that if he "lived in Havana" and if he was "in the government," he'd be "concerned, at least."
- The Cuban Embassy did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Zoom in: The president also doubled down on his criticism of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, and has previously claimed that the Latin American country has at least three major cocaine factories.
- "He's making cocaine. They're sending it into the United States. So he does have to watch his ass," Trump said Saturday, echoing comments he made last month.
- Petro is an ally of Maduro, and has recently accused Trump of violating the United Nations' "founding principles" and alleged that at least one of Trump's strikes off the coast of Venezuela targeted civilians.
Catch up quick: Earlier Saturday, Trump told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" that "something's going to have to be done with Mexico" in response to a question about America's southern neighbor.
- Trump went on to allege that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum isn't running her country, but rather that drug cartels control the nation.
- "We could be politically correct and be nice and say, 'Oh yeah she is.' She is very frightened of the cartels," Trump said. "They're running Mexico. I've asked her numerous times would you like us to take out the cartels. 'No, no, no, Mr. President, no, no, no, please.' So we have to do something."
The other side: Colombia, Cuba and Mexico were among the countries denouncing the U.S. operation in Venezuela, saying the attack put the region's stability at risk.
- "Latin America and the Caribbean is a zone of peace, built on the basis of mutual respect, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the use and threat of force, so any military action seriously jeopardizes regional stability," Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, according to a translation of its statement.
- Petro said on X that his country "reiterates its conviction that peace, respect for international law, and the protection of life and human dignity must prevail over any form of armed confrontation."
- Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said during a rally on Saturday that the attack "against a peaceful and noble people can only be described as cowardly, criminal and treacherous."
What we're watching: Many Democrats and some Republicans in Congress condemned the operation, which was carried out without congressional approval.
- Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said in a statement Saturday morning that he'd be forcing a vote on his resolution to require any additional actions to receive sign-off from Congress moving forward.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Saturday that the administration "must brief Congress immediately on its objectives, and its plan to prevent a humanitarian and geopolitical disaster."
Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout with additional context and reporting.
