Trump Warns Cuba, Colombia and Mexico as US Signals Tougher Stance on Drugs and Regional Security

Washington, Jan 2026 : US President Donald Trump has issued stern warnings to Cuba, Colombia and Mexico, signalling that Washington’s patience with governments he accuses of enabling drug trafficking and regional instability is rapidly running out. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from Mar-a-Lago, Trump said his administration is prepared to take decisive action if conditions in the region do not change.

Referring first to Cuba, Trump claimed the island nation’s economic position has weakened significantly following recent US actions in Venezuela. He argued that Havana had long depended on subsidised Venezuelan oil to keep its economy afloat. “Cuba now has no income,” Trump said, asserting that Venezuela had been the country’s primary economic lifeline. “They got all of their income from Venezuela… and Cuba literally is ready to fall.”

Despite his sharp assessment, Trump said the United States does not currently plan a military intervention in Cuba. Instead, he suggested that internal pressures could lead to the collapse of the Cuban system without direct US involvement. “We’re not going in,” he said. “I think it’s just going to fall. It’s going down for the count.”

Trump also pointed to domestic political sentiment in the United States, saying many Cuban Americans would welcome such a development. “You have a lot of great Cuban Americans that are going to be very happy about this,” he remarked, framing the situation as a long-awaited reckoning for the Cuban leadership.

Turning to Colombia, Trump adopted some of his harshest rhetoric, accusing the country’s leadership of allowing cocaine production to flourish and reach the United States. He alleged that Colombia was “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,” a statement that immediately drew attention for its bluntness.

When asked whether such accusations implied potential US action, Trump appeared to leave the door open. “It sounds good to me,” he said when questioned about the possibility of an operation, adding ominously, “He’s not going to be doing it very long.” His comments suggested that Washington could consider stronger measures if drug flows from Colombia continue unabated.

Trump linked Colombia, Cuba and Venezuela as part of what he described as a wider regional problem. “We had a drug caliphate in our backyard,” he said, arguing that the United States is now actively dismantling networks that fuel narcotics trafficking, organised crime and instability across the hemisphere.

On January 3, the administration carried out what Trump described as a “stunning operation,” arresting the Venezuelan president at his residence in Caracas and transferring him to New York to face trial. Trump has repeatedly cited the operation as evidence of Washington’s willingness to act decisively against leaders it accuses of criminal activity.

Addressing Mexico, Trump said drug cartels continue to wield enormous power across large parts of the country. “The cartels are running Mexico, whether you like it or not,” he said. “It’s not nice to say, but the cartels are running Mexico.” He criticised the Mexican government for what he described as an insufficient response to cartel violence and drug trafficking.

Trump said he has repeatedly offered military assistance to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to help combat organised crime. “Every single time I talked to her, I offered to send troops,” he said. According to Trump, those offers were declined. “She’s concerned. She’s a little afraid,” he added, suggesting hesitation within the Mexican leadership.

He warned that Mexico must act more decisively or face consequences, stressing that large quantities of drugs continue to flow north into the United States through Mexican territory. “Mexico has to get their act together,” Trump said.

The president also made clear that the US remains prepared to expand its operations beyond Venezuela if necessary. “We were prepared to do a second strike,” Trump said, adding that such options remain on the table if governments in the region fail to “behave.”

Framing his remarks within a broader strategic outlook, Trump invoked the Monroe Doctrine, asserting US primacy in the Western Hemisphere. “It’s our hemisphere,” he said, arguing that previous administrations had neglected this principle. He insisted, however, that the ultimate goal is stability rather than occupation. “We’re in the business of having countries around us that are viable and successful,” Trump said.

The remarks underline Trump’s readiness to combine economic pressure, direct warnings and the threat of force as tools to reshape US relations with neighbouring countries he believes pose risks to American security.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)