Trump Warns Colombia’s Petro: 'You May Be Next' if Drug Flows Aren't Halted."

Today, January 5, 2026, the world is reacting to the seismic shifts in global politics following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela.

The situation has rapidly evolved from a single raid into a broad geopolitical strategy that President Trump is calling the "Donroe Doctrine" (a fusion of his name and the 1823 Monroe Doctrine).

Here are the latest updates on the three main fronts of this story:

1. The Courtroom: Maduro in New York

  Arraignment Today: Deposed leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived at a federal courthouse in Manhattan today (January 5). They are facing charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.

 The Defense: Maduro’s lawyers are expected to argue sovereign immunity, claiming the U.S. cannot prosecute a sitting head of state. However, the U.S. government maintains it has not recognized Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela since 2019, treating the raid as a "law enforcement action" rather than an act of war.

  Security: Manhattan is under "unprecedented" security, with federal snipers on rooftops and multiple overflow courtrooms set up for the international press.

2. The Doctrine: Who is Next?

Trump has used the success of "Operation Absolute Resolve" (which involved 150 aircraft and special forces) to issue a series of stern warnings to other nations:

  Colombia: Trump called President Gustavo Petro a "sick man" and accused him of running "cocaine mills." When asked about military action against Colombia, Trump replied, "Sounds good to me."

 Mexico: Fresh threats were issued regarding the border and cartels. Trump claimed he offered to send U.S. troops to help President Claudia Sheinbaum, but said "she is afraid of the cartels."

 Greenland: Re-igniting a 2019 ambition, Trump claimed the U.S. "needs" Greenland for defense because it is currently "covered with Russian and Chinese ships."

 Iran: As protests enter their second week in Tehran, Trump warned the Iranian regime of "punitive action" if they use force against demonstrators.

3. Global Fallout & Resistance

 Venezuela's "Interim" Government: Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the presidency in Caracas. While she initially called for a "united front of resistance," latest reports suggest she has expressed a willingness to negotiate with the Trump administration to avoid further strikes.

  International Condemnation: China called the operation a "clear violation of international law" and demanded Maduro’s immediate release.

  Russia described the strike as "unlawful and destabilizing."The EU and France (President Macron) have distanced themselves, stating they "neither supported nor approved" the military operation.

 Timing | Launched 2:01 AM (Caracas time), Jan 3, 2026. Scale | 150+ U.S. aircraft; months of rehearsal on a full-scale replica palace.Casualties | Reports of ~40 Venezuelans killed; U.S. reports "a couple of guys hit" but no fatalities.

The "Capture" | Maduro was seized before he could reach a reinforced safe room.