US President Donald Trump’s second term is rapidly being defined by an aggressive foreign policy that revives Cold War–era doctrines and unapologetic displays of force. From the dramatic seizure of Venezuela’s president to open threats against multiple governments, Trump appears intent on reasserting US dominance across the Western Hemisphere and beyond.
By invoking — and rebranding — the 1823 Monroe Doctrine as the so-called “Donroe Doctrine,” Trump has signalled a renewed belief that Washington alone should dictate political and economic outcomes in its perceived sphere of influence.
Does the seizure of Venezuela’s president mark a dangerous escalation?
The pivotal moment in Trump’s revamped foreign policy occurred over the weekend, when US forces allegedly cornered and captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in an overnight raid of his fortified Caracas compound.
Describing the operation as necessary for restoring order and ensuring free access to oil resources, Trump framed the intervention as both a security and economic imperative.
“We are in the business of having countries around us that are viable and successful and where the oil is allowed to freely come out,” Trump said on Sunday, adding that “American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again.” The unprecedented nature of the operation has alarmed critics, who warn it sets a new benchmark for unilateral regime-change tactics.
Is Greenland becoming the next geopolitical flashpoint?
Trump’s rhetoric has not stopped with Venezuela. Greenland — an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark — has again become a focal point of US strategic ambitions. Despite the US already operating the Pituffik Space Base on the island, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring the entire territory, citing national and economic security concerns.
“We need Greenland,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “It’s so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
Greenland’s importance lies not only in its strategic Arctic position but also in its vast reserves of rare earth minerals, essential for smartphones, electric vehicles, and advanced military systems — an industry currently dominated by China.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen firmly rejected Trump’s claims, calling US annexation fantasies “unacceptable” and stressing that any dialogue must respect international law.
Is Colombia the next target of US intervention?
Just hours after the Venezuelan operation, Trump issued a thinly veiled threat toward Colombian President Gustavo Petro, telling him to “watch his ass.”
Colombia, long a US ally in the so-called war on drugs, has found itself increasingly at odds with Washington under Petro’s left-wing leadership. Trump accused Petro of allowing drug cartels to flourish and even suggested the possibility of future US “operations” in the country.
“It sounds good to me,” Trump said when asked whether Colombia could face similar action.
The remarks come amid heightened US naval activity in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, where Washington claims — without publicly released evidence — to be targeting drug trafficking vessels.
Why is Iran being warned despite falling outside the ‘Monroe Doctrine’?
Although Iran lies far beyond the Western Hemisphere, Trump has again placed Tehran firmly in Washington’s crosshairs.
As mass anti-government protests continue across Iran, Trump warned that the authorities would be “hit very hard” if further civilian deaths were reported.
Iran has already been targeted during Trump’s first term through sanctions and, more recently, US strikes on nuclear facilities following a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran. US media reports suggest that renewed military action against Iran was discussed during Trump’s recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The expansion of Trump’s threats beyond the hemisphere raises questions about whether the “Monroe Doctrine” is less a geographic policy and more a justification for global coercion.
Is Mexico facing renewed pressure over borders and cartels?
Mexico remains central to Trump’s political narrative. From calls to “Build the Wall” to the symbolic renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” Trump has maintained relentless pressure on Washington’s southern neighbour.
Claiming that drugs are “pouring” across the border, Trump said the strength of Mexican cartels may force the US to “do something.” Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected any possibility of US military operations on Mexican soil, warning that such actions would violate national sovereignty.
Is Cuba approaching collapse without Venezuelan support?
Trump also turned his attention to Cuba, suggesting that US intervention may not even be necessary. “I don’t think we need any action,” Trump said. “It looks like it’s going down.”
Cuba has long depended on Venezuelan oil — reportedly around 30% of its supply — leaving Havana vulnerable following Maduro’s removal. With sanctions already strangling its economy, Trump claimed Cuba now has “no income.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the warning, saying Cuban officials should take the president’s words “seriously.”
Nuestro Gobierno Revolucionario condena en los términos más enérgicos la agresión militar de #EEUU contra #Venezuela. Reiteramos de forma categórica el absoluto respaldo y solidaridad de #Cuba con la hermana República Bolivariana y su gobierno.https://t.co/WFskEiougD
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) January 3, 2026
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In combination, the statements and deeds of President Trump suggest a foreign policy based less on alliances and diplomacy and more on pressure, resource control, and the use of force.
Advocates believe it re-establishes its dominance, while detractors say it has the potential to destabilize entire regions and undermine international law. The upcoming Trump re-election tenure has yet to determine if a policy of either doing nothing or acting alone will increase their power or inspire a reaction that they may not be able to handle.
