Washington/Caracas/New York : Tensions across Latin America escalated sharply after US President Donald Trump warned Colombian President Gustavo Petro in the aftermath of Venezuela’s military crisis. The warning came as Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were transferred to a prison facility in New York following Operation Absolute Resolve, a US‑led strike that toppled Caracas’s leadership.
Trump’s Warning to Colombia
- President Trump accused Colombia of being a hub for cocaine production and said the flow of narcotics into the United States must stop.
- He cautioned Petro to “be careful,” while reiterating that Washington would not hesitate to act against drug cartels or laboratories in the region.
- Petro, in response, condemned the US operation in Venezuela as an attack on Latin American sovereignty, warning of humanitarian consequences.
Wider US Strategy in Latin America
- Hours after Maduro’s removal, Trump declared that the US would temporarily administer Venezuela until a “safe and judicious transition” could be arranged.
- He emphasized that American dominance in the Western Hemisphere would not be questioned again, citing goals of regional stability, energy security, and strong alliances.
- Trump expressed confidence in Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, while casting doubt on opposition leader María Corina Machado’s ability to unify the country.
Oil and Economic Plans
- Trump announced plans for major US oil companies to invest billions in Venezuela to repair its “broken oil infrastructure.”
- Despite these ambitions, the embargo on Venezuelan oil remains in place, with US naval forces positioned to enforce compliance.
- The administration insists that all military options remain available until its demands are met.
Messages to Cuba and Mexico
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Cuba could face similar pressure, warning Havana’s leadership to be “concerned.”
- Trump also commented on Mexico, saying President Claudia Sheinbaum was “friendly” but not in control, claiming cartels hold real power.
- He revealed that Washington had offered assistance to dismantle cartels, but Mexico’s leadership declined.
Context
- The developments mark one of the most aggressive US interventions in Latin America in decades.
- Observers note parallels with Cold War‑era actions, including the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba in 1961.
- Regional leaders are now weighing the humanitarian, economic, and diplomatic fallout of Washington’s expanded military posture.
In summary: The capture of Nicolás Maduro has triggered a wave of warnings and strategic declarations from Washington, with Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico now in the spotlight. The US insists its actions are aimed at curbing drug trafficking and securing energy resources, but critics argue they risk destabilizing the region further.
