From Greenland to Cuba: After Venezuela strikes, Trump’s warning blitz spans continents; who’s next?

US President Donald Trump has issued a series of blunt warnings to multiple countries over the past few hours, signalling an increasingly confrontational posture across regions.

The remarks came a day after an audacious US military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his transfer to New York to face federal drug trafficking and weapons charges. Since then, Trump has spoken out against at least five countries.

Here’s a breakdown of what Trump said, country by country.

On Colombia

Facing questions about Venezuela aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump broadened his remarks to other Latin American countries, singling out Colombia and its president, Gustavo Petro.


Trump accused Colombia of being “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.”

“He’s not going to be doing it for very long,” Trump said of Petro, who has frequently criticised him. “He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories.”

The remarks come amid an escalating dispute between Washington and Bogotá over US boat strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, operations that have increased pressure on Colombia, a key node in the region’s drug trade.

Asked whether his administration could carry out an operation targeting Colombia, Trump replied, “It sounds good to me.”

Also Read | Maduro dancing to 'No War, Yes Peace' may have triggered Trump into kidnapping him and bombing Venezuela: Report

On Greenland

Trump also revived his long-standing push for the United States to take control of Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory, claiming that it was essential for American security.

“We need Greenland. ... It's so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” Trump said. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.”

He went on to claim that Europe supports the idea.

“The European Union needs us to have it, and they know that,” he said.

Denmark pushed back sharply. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed Trump’s remarks, saying, “It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland.”

On Venezuela

Trump left the door open to further action in Venezuela even after Maduro’s capture, warning interim president Delcy Rodríguez of severe consequences if she does not cooperate.

According to The Atlantic magazine, Trump said Rodríguez could “pay a very big price, probably bigger than” Maduro’s if she continued to resist US demands.

Later, when reporters asked who was now in charge of Venezuela, Trump replied: “Don’t ask me who’s in charge, because I’ll give you an answer, and it’ll be very controversial.”

Pressed further, he said bluntly: “We’re in charge.”

On Cuba

Trump suggested that military action against Cuba may not be necessary, claiming the country is already on the verge of collapse.

“I don’t think we need any action,” Trump said. “It looks like it’s going down.”

“I don’t know if they’re going to hold out, but Cuba now has no income,” he added. “They got all their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil.”

Earlier in the day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had struck a tougher note. Asked on NBC’s Meet the Press whether Cuba was the administration’s “next target,” Rubio said, “The Cuban government is a huge problem.”

Pressed again, he added: “They are in a lot of trouble, yes.”

Rubio accused Cuba of “propping up” Maduro’s government and supporting its internal security apparatus, including personal bodyguards.

On India

Trump also issued a fresh warning to India over its purchases of Russian oil.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while travelling from Florida to Washington, Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi “knew he was not happy” and suggested action could follow.

“They wanted to make me happy, basically. Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy. They do trade and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly. It would be very bad for them,” Trump said.

His remarks came after US Senator Lindsey Graham, who was travelling with him, said the tariffs imposed by Trump were the “chief reason” India has begun buying substantially less Russian oil.

On Iran

Trump also warned Iran amid protests over the country’s economy, drawing a red line around the use of lethal force by authorities.

“If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States,” he said.

Asked aboard Air Force One about reports of protesters being killed and his earlier “locked and loaded” remark, Trump said: “We’ll take a look. We’re watching it very closely.”

He did not spell out what a US response would involve, nor announce any immediate military or economic measures, even as Washington maintains a significant military presence in the region.