After capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a surprise military operation early Saturday, the Trump administration has suggested that other Latin American leaders could be next.
Asked by Kristen Welker on NBC’s Meet the Press today whether Venezuelan ally Cuba is the Trump administration’s next target, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “they're in a lot of trouble, yes!"
Although he would not speak to the administration’s future plans for the island country, Rubio stressed to Welker, “I don't think it's any mystery that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime who, by the way, are the ones that were propping up Maduro.”
Along similar lines, Rubio told reporters yesterday: “Look, if I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I’d be concerned at least a little bit.”
Trump’s comments during his press conference Saturday were also suggestive.
"I think Cuba is going to be something we'll end up talking about [like Venezuela], because Cuba is a failing nation right now," Trump said, asked about how Cuba should see Maduro’s removal.
“We want to help the people. It's very similar [to Venezuela] in the sense that we want to help the people in Cuba, but we want to also help the people that were forced out of Cuba and living in this country,” Trump explained.
Mexico may also be in the administration’s crosshairs. In a phone interview with Fox News yesterday, Trump warned that “something will have to be done about Mexico.”
Trump said he asked Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum if she wants the U.S. military to help to “take out” the drug cartels, because they are “running Mexico.”
“I've asked her numerous times, would you like us to take out the cartels? 'No, no, no, Mr. President, no, no, no, please.' So we have to do something,” Trump said.
Trump administration officials also told Zeteo Media that Trump is “very interested” in possibly sending U.S. Special Forces to Mexico, and recently asked for updates on the status of preparations for plans to do so.
Saturday’s military operation follows a months-long U.S. escalation of hostilities against Venezuela, which has included repeated strikes on alleged drug boats and massive military build up in the region.
Trump said after Saturday that the U.S. will “run” Venezuela until a "proper transition [of power] can take place," and that he is not afraid to put “boots on the ground” there if necessary. Venezuela’s interim government said today it stands behind Maduro.
Maduro is scheduled to appear in a U.S. federal court Monday, on alleged drug trafficking charges.- Is Rubio finally powerful enough to topple Venezuela's regime? ›
- What awaits Marco Rubio in the Caribbean ›
- Trump will be sore when Cuba domino refuses to fall | Responsible Statecraft ›
- Rubio: We can’t rule out more military force in Venezuela | Responsible Statecraft ›
- Is Rubio backing off Cuba regime change for his own political good? | Responsible Statecraft ›
- Exile attack: Deliberate attempt to spur US action against Cuba? | Responsible Statecraft ›
