Recent international actions by President Trump have signaled a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy. The administration is moving toward a more interventionist approach, which has sparked global debate regarding international law and the future of long-standing alliances.
The U.S. recently launched a military strike in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro. President Trump stated the U.S. would oversee the country’s leadership transition and manage its oil resources. While the administration cited drug trafficking as a justification, critics argue the move lacks United Nations authorization and sets a concerning global precedent.
Concerns have spread to traditional allies, particularly regarding Greenland. The President has insisted the U.S. must acquire the territory for national security, warning it could happen “the easy way or the hard way.” This stance has led Greenland’s Prime Minister to warn that military threats against a NATO member could dismantle the alliance’s post-WWII security structure.
Several other nations have been identified as being at risk of U.S. pressure or intervention. These include Colombia, which faces threats of military action over narcotics production, and Mexico, where an executive order recently renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” Cuba and Iran also face warnings related to energy supplies and internal civil unrest.
Under the United Nations Charter, force is generally only legal in self-defense or with Security Council approval. Experts worry that bypassing these rules makes it difficult for nations to rely on international treaties for protection.