Trump Now Turns His Gaze to Mexico After Maduro’s Capture: ‘Something Is Going to Have to Be Done’

January 4, 2026 Gloria Shaw

Trump has expanded his confrontational stance in the Western Hemisphere, shifting focus to Mexico mere hours after authorizing U.S. military strikes on Venezuela, declaring that “something is going to have to be done” about the southern neighbor.

The comments, made during an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” have amplified regional anxieties and sparked fears of further escalation in an already volatile period for U.S. foreign policy.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured on Saturday during a U.S. military operation in Venezuela, and was then flown out of the country to the United States.

Trump explicitly rejected suggestions that Saturday’s strikes—targeting facilities linked to alleged Venezuelan drug trafficking networks—were intended as a signal to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. “It wasn’t meant to be,” he insisted. However, he immediately launched into a blistering critique of Mexico’s government, asserting that criminal cartels hold de facto control.

“The cartels are running Mexico. She’s not running Mexico,” Trump said. “We could be politically correct and be nice and say, ‘Oh, yes, she is.’ No, no. She’s very frightened of the cartels. They’re running Mexico.”

He repeated the phrase for emphasis: “Something’s going to have to be done with Mexico.”

The vague but ominous warning—delivered casually on morning television carries significant weight given Trump’s history of blending rhetoric with action, from tariff threats to military designations for cartels.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded decisively, stating her government “strongly condemns and rejects” the U.S. strikes on Venezuela. While not directly naming Trump, her statement showed Mexico’s commitment to sovereignty and non-intervention principles, positioning the country in opposition to the administration’s unilateral approach.

Analysts interpret Trump’s personal characterization of Sheinbaum as “frightened” and ineffective as a deliberate slight, likely to be viewed in Mexico as condescending and provocative. Such language risks undermining bilateral cooperation on critical issues like migration management, fentanyl interdiction, and trade under the USMCA framework.

The Venezuela Strikes: Precedent for Broader Action?

Saturday’s operation involved precision strikes on Venezuelan targets accused of facilitating drug routes to the U.S. The administration framed it as a counter-narcotics effort, bypassing traditional congressional notification under certain executive authority interpretations.

The action drew swift international condemnation, with leaders from Brazil, Colombia, and Cuba decrying it as a violation of sovereignty. Regional bodies like the Organization of American States expressed concern over potential destabilization.

Trump’s rapid pivot to Mexico suggests a coordinated regional strategy against transnational crime, potentially combining military, diplomatic, and economic pressure. He has long contended that Mexico has ceded control to cartels, using the argument to justify border wall expansion, “remain in Mexico” policies, and tariff threats in his first term.

The undefined “something” could range from intensified border enforcement to more drastic measures, such as designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations—a step floated previously that would unlock broader military options.

Trump’s comments play to his base’s priorities on border security and crime, issues that remain top voter concerns. With Republicans defending narrow congressional majorities in 2026, tough rhetoric on cartels and migration could energize turnout in key states.

However, escalation risks backlash. Economic ties with Mexico—$800 billion in annual trade are vital to U.S. industries and consumers. Disruptions could raise costs and invite retaliation, complicating GOP messaging on affordability.

Foreign policy hawks praise the Venezuela strikes as decisive; doves warn of quagmire risks and strained alliances.

Did You Know?: Mike Johnson Now Begs His Own Base to Save Trump from Impeachment: ‘Absolute Chaos’

Historical Parallels and Trump’s Foreign Policy Style

Trump’s approach echoes his first term: unilateral actions (Syria strikes, Soleimani assassination) paired with maximalist rhetoric. His Venezuela intervention revives Obama-era criticisms he once leveled, while Mexico threats recall 2019 tariff brinkmanship that extracted migration concessions.

The personal tone—dismissing Sheinbaum’s agency—fits Trump’s pattern of leader-to-leader diplomacy, often adversarial.

With no specific actions outlined, speculation abounds: increased drone surveillance, special operations, or economic sanctions. Any direct military move on Mexican soil would constitute an extraordinary breach, likely triggering crisis.

Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president and a seasoned politician, has prioritized sovereignty while maintaining pragmatic U.S. ties. Trump’s comments test that balance.

Trump says “something is gonna have to be done” about Mexico and President Claudia Sheinbaum in response to a question about whether the Venezuelan strike was a “message” to her government. pic.twitter.com/1fWlbaKnSN

— nikki mccann ramírez (@NikkiMcR) January 3, 2026

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As Latin America watches warily, Trump’s words ensure Mexico joins Venezuela in the administration’s crosshairs—signaling a foreign policy prioritizing confrontation and dominance over multilateral cooperation.

The coming weeks will reveal whether rhetoric translates to policy—or remains a pressure tactic in Trump’s arsenal.