The world is watching closely after the US carried out a military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro. But the story doesn’t end there. In the days since, President Donald Trump has sent a series of sharp warnings to other countries. He hinted at possible military action in Colombia, told Mexico to “get its act together” on drugs, suggested the US “needs Greenland” for national security, and even name-checked Iran as a potential concern.

These statements raise urgent questions: why is the US targeting these particular countries? Is this a serious threat or political posturing? 

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Kevin Chen, Associate Research Fellow with the US Programme at IDSS, RSIS, to find why these countries are on Trump’s wish list, and whether this marks a new era of US imperialism.