> At a Glance
> – President Donald Trump tells The New York Times his personal morals, not international law, guide his foreign policy
> – U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the U.S. to face narco-terrorism charges
> – Trump eyes annexing Greenland, military action in Colombia, Cuba, Iran, and Mexico
> – Why it matters: The president’s open rejection of international law signals sweeping, unilateral moves across the globe
President Donald Trump has declared that his personal ethics-not treaties or global norms-will shape America’s next foreign adventures, days after U.S. troops seized Venezuela’s leader.
“I Don’t Need International Law”
Speaking to The New York Times, Trump dismissed the idea that global statutes should restrain U.S. actions abroad.
> “I don’t need international law,” he said, adding, “My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.”
While he conceded his administration “would need to abide by international laws,” he immediately qualified: “It depends what your definition of international law is.”
Venezuela Takeover
On June 16, U.S. forces launched “large-scale strikes” on Caracas, captured President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores, and flew them to the United States for trial on narco-terrorism charges.
Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has assumed office, yet Trump claims Washington now runs the country:
- “It’s going to be run very judiciously, very fairly. And it’s gonna make a lot of money.”
- “We’ll be selling large amounts of oil [from Venezuela] to other countries.”
Expansion Wish List
Beyond Venezuela, Trump is weighing further interventions:
- Greenland: Calls outright annexation “psychologically needed for success,” even if it strains NATO ties with Denmark
- Colombia: Labels President Gustavo Petro a “sick man who likes making cocaine,” hinting at imminent action
- Mexico: Says cartel strength may force U.S. intervention
- Cuba & Iran: Also named as potential targets
Colombian President Petro, aware of the Venezuela precedent, told the Times, “We are in danger… the threat is real. It was made by Trump.”
Strategic Justification
Trump argues Greenland is “so strategic” because:
- Russian and Chinese ships patrol its waters
- A U.S. takeover would bolster national security
- Ownership trumps any lease or treaty
Key Takeaways
- Trump explicitly rejects international law as a policy constraint
- The Venezuela operation sets a template for unilateral regime change
- Greenland annexation, once a meme, is now official policy under review
- Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, and Iran watch nervously as Trump eyes next moves
With “my own morality” as his declared limit, the president is signaling that U.S. force may soon reshape multiple regions-regardless of global opinion.
