Yaqeen Blog

Have you ever looked at a map and thought, “What if that part belonged to us?” Well, that is exactly what is happening in the news right now. President Donald Trump has made some huge moves that are changing how countries get along. From capturing the leader of Venezuela to talking about taking over Greenland and Canada, the world is feeling a little bit like a high-stakes game of Risk.

Let’s break down what is happening, why it’s a big deal, and what it means for the future.

The Big Catch: What Happened to Nicolas Maduro?

On January 3, 2026, the world woke up to shocking news. U.S. special forces (like Delta Force) went into Caracas, Venezuela, in a secret mission. They captured Nicolas Maduro, who had been the president of Venezuela for a long time, and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were flown straight to New York City. The U.S. government says Maduro isn't just a politician; they say he's a criminal involved in "narco-terrorism" (which means using drug money to fund bad things).

• The U.S. View: Trump says this was a "brilliant operation" to bring justice and stop drugs from coming into America. 

• The World's View: Many other countries are scared. They are asking: "Can a big country just go in and grab the leader of another country?" This is called a violation of national sovereignty—the idea that every country has the right to rule itself without others interfering 

Greenland and Canada: Is the U.S. Growing?

Right after the Venezuela mission, President Trump started talking about annexing (which means taking over) other places.

1. Greenland

Trump has wanted to buy Greenland (which belongs to Denmark) since his first term. Now, he’s saying it’s an "absolute necessity" for national security. He’s worried that Russia and China are getting too close to the Arctic.

• The Problem: Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said "Enough is enough!" He told Trump to stop his "fantasies of annexation."

• The Danger: If the U.S. tried to take Greenland by force, it would be attacking a member of NATO. NATO is a group of friends (allies) who promise to protect each other. If you fight one member, you're fighting all of them.

2. Canada

Trump has even joked—and some think he's serious—about Canada becoming the 51st state. He called the border between the U.S. and Canada "an artificially drawn line." He’s used "economic force," like threatening big taxes (tariffs) on Canadian goods, to get what he wants.

3. Colombia

Because Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, didn't like the attack on Venezuela, Trump threatened him too. He accused Petro of running "cocaine mills" and told him to "watch his ass." This has people in South America very worried that an invasion of Colombia could be next.

What is the Future of International Relations?

Usually, countries follow a set of "rules" called International Law. These rules say you can’t just invade your neighbors or kidnap their leaders. But right now, those rules are being tested.

• "Might Makes Right": This is the idea that the strongest country can do whatever it wants. If the U.S. keeps acting this way, other countries might start doing the same thing.

• The End of Alliances: If the U.S. bullies its friends (like Canada and Denmark), those friends might stop trusting us. Without trust, the world becomes a much more dangerous and lonely place.

• The Future of Justice: If Maduro is found guilty in a New York court, it sets a precedent. That means in the future, the U.S. might feel it has the right to arrest any world leader they think is a criminal.

Why Does This Matter to You?

You might think, "Why should I care about Greenland?" But these decisions change the world you are growing up in. They affect:

1. Prices: Wars and "trade wars" make things like gas and electronics more expensive.

2. Safety: If alliances break down, the chance of a big global war goes up.

3. The Environment: Places like Greenland are important for studying climate change. If countries are fighting over who owns the ice, they aren't working together to save it.

The world is watching to see if the U.S. will be a "team player" or a "lone wolf." Either way, the map we see in school today might look very different by the time you graduate high school!

Learn More on Wikipedia and News

If you want to dive deeper into these countries and the news, check out these links:

• Wikipedia: Greenland - Learn about the world's largest island and why everyone wants it.

• Wikipedia: Venezuela - Read about its history and why it has so much oil.

• Wikipedia: Canada - See how big our northern neighbor really is.

• BBC News: Global Reactions to Venezuela - A look at how the world is reacting to the capture of Maduro.