Which countries might feel Trump’s pressure next? BBC outlines the possibilities

US President Donald Trump’s second term is marked by audacious foreign policy moves that signal a more aggressive stance across the Western Hemisphere and beyond, reshaping the contours of international diplomacy, according to the BBC.

From the dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to repeated warnings aimed at Colombia, Mexico, Iran, and Greenland, Trump is reasserting US influence with a mix of military brinkmanship and provocative rhetoric.

In a high-profile overnight operation, Trump captured Maduro and his wife from a heavily fortified Caracas compound, reviving the 1823 Monroe Doctrine in the process. Rebranding it the “Donroe Doctrine,” Trump signalled a return to a more interventionist approach in the Western Hemisphere, underscoring his determination to enforce US dominance.

Greenland, a vast Arctic island under the Kingdom of Denmark, has also caught Trump’s attention. Although the US already operates a military base there, Trump expressed interest in taking control of the entire territory. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security,” he told journalists, adding that the region was “covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.” Rich in rare earth minerals essential for technology and military hardware, Greenland also occupies a strategic location in the North Atlantic. Its Prime Minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, dismissed Trump’s ambitions as a “fantasy,” emphasising dialogue through “proper channels and with respect for international law.”

In Colombia, Trump has taken a confrontational stance toward President Gustavo Petro. Hours after the Venezuelan raid, he warned Petro to “watch his ass,” accusing the country of harbouring drug cartels. “He's not going to be doing it for very long,” Trump said, and when asked about a potential US operation, he replied, “It sounds good to me.” This marks a sharp departure from the historically close US-Colombian collaboration in anti-drug operations, as Washington now appears ready to directly challenge Petro’s left-wing government.

Iran remains a focal point of Trump’s attention despite lying outside the Western Hemisphere. Amid mass anti-government protests, Trump cautioned that Tehran would be “hit very hard” if protesters were killed. His warnings follow last year’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and signal ongoing US support for Israel’s efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, highlighted during a recent Mar-a-Lago meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mexico and Cuba are also under scrutiny. Trump criticised Mexican authorities for failing to stop drug flows and proposed sending US troops to combat cartels, a move rejected by President Claudia Sheinbaum. Meanwhile, he suggested that Cuba’s reliance on Venezuelan oil left the island vulnerable. “I don't think we need any action,” he said. “It looks like it's going down.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the sentiment, warning that Havana’s government should take Trump seriously.

By Jeyhun Aghazada