Trump Threatens Colombia and Claims Cuba 'Looks Ready to Fall'

Threats from President Trump

United States President Donald Trump has issued stark warnings to his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, following the kidnapping of a Venezuelan leader, asserting that the government in Cuba may soon collapse as well. The statements came Sunday evening while he spoke with reporters aboard Air Force One.

"Venezuela is very sick. Colombia is very sick as well, led by a sick man who likes to do cocaine and sell it to the United States. And he won’t be doing that much longer. Let me tell you," Trump stated. When asked if he was considering a U.S. operation in Colombia, the president replied, "Sounds good to me." He added that a military intervention in Cuba is unlikely, as the country seems poised to collapse on its own.

"Cuba is ready to fall. Cuba looks like it's ready to fall. I don’t know how they can hold on, but Cuba now has no income. They’ve gotten all their revenues from Venezuela, from Venezuelan oil," Trump remarked. "They are getting nothing. Cuba is simply ready to fall. And you have many Cuban-Americans who will be very happy about that."

This announcement came a day after U.S. forces captured and detained Maduro and his wife in a surprise attack on Caracas. The Venezuelan leader and his spouse, Cilia Flores, are scheduled to appear in court in New York on drug-related charges.

Trump insisted that the United States controls Venezuela, despite the country's Supreme Court appointing Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader. He also reiterated a threat to send American troops back to Venezuela if it "misbehaves." The president publicized his ambitions to expand American presence in the Western Hemisphere and revive the Monroe Doctrine from the 19th century, asserting that Latin America is under U.S. influence. His 21st-century version has been dubbed the "Don-roe Doctrine."

Previously, Trump has threatened both Colombia and Cuba, and this weekend declared that Petro needs to "be careful" while noting that the political situation in Cuba was "something we will discuss, because Cuba is a failing nation."