Trump‘s 2026 foreign policy has entered a radical new phase following the high-stakes military operation in Venezuela and the dramatic removal of President Nicolás Maduro. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump declared that the United States has reclaimed control over the region’s stability, signaling that Venezuela was merely the starting point of a much larger geopolitical shift.
By invoking a modernized version of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine—which he has rebranded as the “Donroe Doctrine”—Trump is asserting absolute U.S. hegemony over the Western Hemisphere. As the world watches Washington’s next move, several nations have already found themselves in the crosshairs of this aggressive “America First” expansionism.
Colombia: The Next Front in the Drug War?
Perhaps the most shocking escalation in Trump’s 2026 foreign policy is the direct threat leveled against Colombia. Despite Colombia’s historical role as a key U.S. ally, Trump has labeled the nation “sick” and accused its leftist President, Gustavo Petro, of complicity in drug trafficking.
“The Colombia operation sounds good to me,” Trump remarked, hinting that the military tactics used in Caracas could soon be deployed in Bogotá. The tension stems from a series of maritime incidents where the U.S. began targeting vessels in the Caribbean without definitive proof of drug cargo. With Petro vowing to “take up arms” to defend Colombian sovereignty, the risk of a regional conflict has never been higher.
The Greenland “Fantasy” Becomes a Security Mandate
While much of the focus is on Latin America, Trump has redirected his attention to the far north. Asserting that Greenland is “surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships,” Trump has renewed his demand for the U.S. to take full control of the Arctic island.
- Strategic Resources: Greenland is a goldmine for rare earth minerals, essential for the production of smartphones, EVs, and advanced military hardware.
- Arctic Access: As polar ice melts, new shipping routes are opening. Controlling Greenland would give the U.S. a decisive advantage over China’s “Polar Silk Road” ambitions.
Danish officials have called these claims an “annexation fantasy,” but Trump insists that Greenland is a matter of “national security,” potentially straining the NATO alliance to its breaking point.
Mexico and the “Gulf of America”
Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has taken symbolic and literal steps to dominate Mexico. His executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” set the tone for a relationship defined by ultimatums.
Trump has openly proposed sending U.S. troops across the border to dismantle drug cartels, claiming that the Mexican government has lost control. While President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected any foreign military presence on Mexican soil, the White House continues to signal that “something must be done” regarding the flow of fentanly and irregular migration.
Iran: Monitoring from the Shadows
Outside of the Americas, Iran remains a primary target. Following the 12-day conflict and strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025, the U.S. is now monitoring domestic protests within Iran. Trump has warned that any violent crackdown by the Tehran regime will be met with a “very stiff response” from the United States. Analysts suggest that 2026 could see a coordinated U.S.-Israeli effort to permanently neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Cuba: Waiting for the Collapse
With the fall of the Maduro regime in Venezuela, Cuba has lost its primary economic lifeline. Historically, Venezuela provided nearly 30% of Cuba’s oil in exchange for medical services. Trump believes a military strike on Havana is unnecessary because the island is “ready to fall” on its own due to the sudden loss of energy and revenue.
The “Donroe Doctrine” and Global Stability
The current trajectory of Trump’s 2026 foreign policy suggests a world where international law is secondary to American strategic interests. Whether through economic strangulation or direct kinetic action, the White House is making it clear that the era of “strategic patience” is over.