Trump Puts Latin America on Notice in UN General Assembly Speech

US President Donald Trump has said American military power could be used to protect the country’s vital interests in the Latin American region.

Trump made the warning as he addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

Speech extracts released by the White House indicated that the president would tell world leaders that the United States would no longer permit threats against America to establish a foothold anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.

Trump also stated that Washington would use its military strength if necessary to protect its national interests.

The statement places military capability at the centre of Trump’s message about US security policy in Latin America.

The Western Hemisphere includes North, Central and South America as well as the Caribbean, making the statement relevant to a large number of countries.

Trump’s comments were delivered amid a series of diplomatic and security developments involving the United States and Latin American governments.

Venezuela remains one of the major issues in the relationship. Trump was scheduled to meet Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, during his UN visit.

Reuters reported that Rodriguez became Venezuela’s interim leader after US forces removed Nicolas Maduro from power in January. The former Venezuelan president was subsequently taken to New York to face drug-trafficking charges, according to Reuters.

The planned Trump-Rodriguez meeting highlights the close attention Washington is paying to Venezuela’s political transition.

Trump also referred to Cuba in his UN message. PUNCH reported that he was expected to accuse Havana of cultivating ties with left-wing groups in the United States.

However, Trump’s remarks did not announce an immediate military action against Cuba, Venezuela or another Latin American country.

The president’s statement instead presented military power as an option for protecting US national interests when Washington determines that a threat exists.

Trump’s wider UN speech included several other international issues. Reuters reported that he defended the US military campaign against Iran, arguing that the operation was necessary to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The US president was also scheduled to meet numerous foreign leaders after his General Assembly address, including officials from Ukraine, Britain, Denmark, Venezuela and Gulf countries.

The comments on Latin America therefore formed part of a broader foreign policy presentation centred on security and American interests.

Trump’s warning is expected to receive close attention from governments throughout the Western Hemisphere as they assess Washington’s evolving approach to regional security.