US attack on Venezuela raises fears of future Greenland takeover | Greenland
The US bombing of Venezuela and the capture of its president Nicolás Maduro has revived fears of an American takeover of Greenland, with members of Donald Trump’s Maga movement gleefully setting their sights on Danish territory following the attack in South America.
Just hours after the US military operation in Venezuela, right-wing podcaster Katie Miller said: Wife of Stephen Miller, Donald Trump’s powerful deputy chief of staff for policy – Published on X There was a map of Greenland covered in stars and stripes with the words “Soon” written on it.
Trump himself he told the Atlantic Magazine published on Sunday: “We definitely need Greenland.”
Miller’s threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is part of the NATO alliance, sparked outrage in Denmark and Greenland.
Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, described the post as “disrespectful”. He wrote about X: “Relations between nations and peoples are based on mutual respect and international law, not on symbolic gestures that ignore our status and rights.”
However, he also said: “There is no need to panic or worry. Our country is not for sale, our future is not determined by social media posts.”
Copenhagen’s US Ambassador, Jesper Møller Sørensen, echoed Miller’s provocation with the following words: “friendly reminder“From the long-standing defense ties between the two countries.
“We are close allies and must continue to work together that way. The security of the United States is also the security of Greenland and Denmark,” he said. “The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States are working together to ensure security in the Arctic.”
He said Denmark was increasing defense spending in 2025 and “committing $13.7bn (£10.2bn) which can be used in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. Because we take our shared security seriously.”
He added: “And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Trump recently appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. Landry, the former state attorney general, thanked Trump for his appointment in December and said it was “an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the United States.”
On Saturday, Landry welcomed Trump’s forcible ouster of Maduro. “After serving as deputy sheriff and attorney general, I have seen the devastating effects of illegal drugs on American families. With more than 100,000 opioid-related deaths annually, I am grateful to see a President finally take real action on the war on drugs,” he wrote in X.
“Thank you @realDonaldTrump for holding individuals like Maduro accountable.”
Since taking office a year ago, Trump has shaken his European allies with his stated designs for Greenland, seen as strategically important for defense and a future source of mineral wealth. It is home to the northernmost US military base at Pituffik, which Trump’s vice president, J.D. Vance, visited in March.
The US president refused to rule out the possibility of military action to seize control of the region at a time when the US, China and Russia are vying for power in the Arctic; this possibility triggered widespread condemnation and unrest on the island itself.
“I’m not ruling it out. I’m not saying I would do it, but I’m not ruling out anything either. No, it’s not there. We need Greenland badly,” Trump told US broadcaster NBC in May when asked about the possibility of a takeover by force.
“There are very few people in Greenland, and we will take care of them, care for them, etc. But we need it for international security.”
In response to persistent threats to the region, Denmark’s defense intelligence service last month labeled the United States a security risk in a dramatic shift in transatlantic relations.
Prime Ministers of Denmark and Greenland, Mette Frederiksen and Nielsen, said at the time: “We said it very clearly before. Now we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are based on international law… You cannot annex other countries.”
The vast majority of Greenland’s 57,000 residents want independence from Denmark but not part of the United States, according to a January poll. The region has had the right to declare independence since 2009.
Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, a think tank that advocates restraint in US foreign policy, said Trump has long ignored his attacks on Greenland.
“I’m not so sure anymore,” he said. “It wouldn’t be that difficult for the United States to put a few hundred or a few thousand troops in Greenland, and it’s not clear to me who could do anything about it.”
Agence France-Presse contributed to this report.
