I suspect that the United States are trying to assert their dominance over the entirety of the Americas (both north and south). Hence this, the talk of fentanyl from Canada, Canada the 51st state, and annexing Greenland. See Orwell's 1984's Oceania, though without Australia, but add Taiwan (to check Eastasia).

I think the passivity towards Ukraine is part of relinquishing as seeing Europe as partners or seeing them as part of strategic value. Russia can take Europe, or Europe can fight back, they are good either way.

Because of Maduro and the cocaine, Venezuela is an easy first step. They are both hard to stand up for except in principle. I would not be surprised if Cuba is round two. It's the Truman doctrine on steroids.

I even wonder if the idea is to replace cheap Chinese labour with each South American labor eventually.