The United States has adopted a foreign policy of increased influence and control over the Western Hemisphere, and increased isolation from the Eastern Hemisphere, primarily with the EU.
On January 3rd, 2026, it was announced that the US military had captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Flown to the US, he was indicted on narco-drug related charges. These charges are from accusations of conspiracy with drug-trafficking cartel groups to import mass amounts of cocaine and other substances into the US.
Following the 2018 Venezuela election, accusations of election interference and fraud were levied, including the ban of opposing political parties to run. As such, the US, along with many of its allies, declared Maduro to be illegitimate and the election to be void.
Under Biden, there was a gradual shift towards a more cordial relationship with the pardon of a number of Venezuelan drug traffickers and lighter sanctions. Under Trump, however, there were repeated airstrikes to drug boats in the Caribbean, resulting in increased tensions between the two countries.
Following the intervention, there have been talks to re-establish US-Venezuelan relations, such as reopening an embassy. US access to Venezuelan oil, which are some of the largest reserves in the world, has been a primary focus. A supply deal regarding oil has been announced, with sanctions lifted and licenses issued for Venezuelan oil companies.
Within a similar timeframe, offers were made to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory under Denmark. Buying Greenland was already floated as an idea during Trump’s 2016 presidency. During this administration, Trump initially refused to rule out military action against Greenland and imposed heavy sanctions on European Union goods. This prompted both NATO members, such as the UK and Canada, and the EU as a whole to offer support to Denmark. In late January, Trump announced he would not use military force against Greenland.
Acquiring Greenland is a part of Trump’s geopolitical strategy. Located in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, Greenland holds strategic importance, primarily in regard to Russia and China. It also contains significant natural resources such as minerals and oil.
The US has also withdrawn from 66 global organizations, 31 of which are under the UN. Most notably, the US has officially withdrawn from both the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement. These organizations have been labeled expensive, yet ineffective by the administration, thus motivating the withdrawals.
