Trump’s next military move: Who could be in crosshairs after Maduro?

The world is waiting to unfold the events in the wake of capturing Venezuelan’s president Nicolas Maduro in the large-scale US military operation on Saturday.

On Monday, Maduro is set to appear in the US court on the grounds of narco-terrorism charges. The president is accused of the charges that blamed him for providing support to major drug cartels and trafficking groups, including Sinaloa Cartel and the Tren de Aragua gang.

According to prosecutors, Maduro was also involved in directing cocaine trafficking routes, offering sanctuaries to trafficking groups and presidential facilities to ship the drugs.

The successful military action in Venezuela has further emboldened Trump’s assertive tone, threatening to take actions against other countries.

Cuba: ‘look like it’s ready to fall’

On Air Force One, Mr Trump took questions from the reporters, speaking of other countries in Latin America and beyond. The US President threatened Cuba, describing it ready to fall.

“Cuba is ready to fall. Cuba looks like it’s ready to fall. Cuba now has no income. They got all of their income from Venezuela, from Venezuelan oil. They’re not getting any of it. Cuba literally is ready to fall,” Trump continued.

During the US military raid, numerous Cubans were killed.

Warning to Colombian president

While talking about Colombia, Trump asserted that the country is being “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.”

Referring to Gustavo Petro, Trump affirmed that the Colombian president is not going to be doing it very long.

Upon asking if he meant a US operation against Colombia, Trump said, “Sounds good to me.”

Trump’s aggressive tone against the sovereign country drew sharp criticism from Petro, urging Trump to “stop slandering him.”

Taking the control of Greenland

The international community is not a stranger to the US President’s desire to take control of Greenland.

While interviewing published by The Atlantic magazine, Trump said, “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.”

Trump has repeatedly expressed desire, calling for Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory to become a part of the US. The aspiration stems from the strategic position of Greenland between Europe and North America.

The strategic location of the NATO member makes it a key site for the US ballistic defense system. In addition, the territory is also rich with minerals, helping the US to reduce its dependency on China.

Last month, the Trump administration chose Jeff Landry as special envoy to the mineral-rich Arctic Island, who publicly endorses annexation of the territory.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged the United States President ‍to stop threatening to take over Greenland as the US has no right over Danish territory.

Venezuela could face another strike

Donald Trump has warned Venezuela’s new leader Delcy Rodríguez that “she could pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro if she does not do what’s right.”

After Maduro’s detention, the vice-president Delcy Rodríguez will be sworn as president on Monday in Caracas.

President Trump said in a Saturday press conference that the US would "run" Venezuela during the transition, and “get the oil flowing”, urging the new leader to comply with US’ orders, as reported by CBS News.

US troops in Mexico

Trump has not spared Mexico either while talking about taking military action. He referred to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as a “terrific person.”

The President also intends to send US troops in Mexico as the drug cartels in Mexico are powerful enough to surpass the country’s countering capabilities.

The aspiration to expand US influence in the Western hemisphere stems from efforts to revive the 19th century Monroe Doctrine, stating that Latin America falls under Washington’s sphere of authority.

The recent US strikes in Venezuela drew profound concerns from various countries, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain.

“These actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force. They constitute an extremely dangerous precedent for peace and regional security and endanger the civilian population,” they stated.

Given Trump's warnings, it remains to see whether the US President would act on his threats or coerce these countries to comply.