At a Glance
- President Trump calls for U.S. takeover of Greenland following a midnight raid in Caracas.
- Denmark and the EU reject the claim, demanding respect for Greenland’s sovereignty.
- Secretary of State Rubio warns Cuba, citing Cuban guards for former Venezuelan president.
- Why it matters: The comments signal a more assertive U.S. stance in the Western Hemisphere.
Following the covert U.S. operation that ousted Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to bring Greenland under American control. The remarks came in an interview with The Atlantic and were met with swift diplomatic backlash.
Trump’s Greenland Ambitions
President Trump stated:
> “We do need Greenland, absolutely.”
He added that the Arctic island is “surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships” and suggested that the U.S. might use military force to seize it. When asked how the Venezuelan raid might influence Greenland, he replied:
> “They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don’t know.”
The comments echo Trump’s National Security Strategy, which calls for restoring “American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere” and references the Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary. He even joked about a “Don-roe Doctrine”.
Denmark’s Defense of Greenland
In response, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Trump has “no right to annex” the territory and reminded him that Denmark already grants the U.S. broad access to Greenland through NATO agreements.
Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen added:
> “We expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Denmark also joined an EU statement affirming the Venezuelan people’s right to determine their future, while Trump vowed to “run” Venezuela and urged acting president Delcy Rodriguez to comply.
Rubio’s Warning to Cuba
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Cuba that its officials had guarded Maduro during the raid. He said:
> “It was Cubans that guarded Maduro. He was not guarded by Venezuelan bodyguards. He had Cuban bodyguards.”
Rubio also noted that Cuban bodyguards handled internal intelligence in Maduro’s government, ensuring no traitors. Trump echoed Rubio, calling Cuba a “failing nation” and saying the U.S. wants to help its people.
Cuban authorities responded with a rally supporting Venezuela and cautioned that “all the nations of the region must remain alert, because the threat hangs over all of us.”
A Cuban laboratory worker, Bárbara Rodríguez, expressed concern:
> “It can happen in any country, it can happen right here. We have always been in the crosshairs.”
Key Takeaways
- Trump seeks U.S. control of Greenland, sparking Denmark and EU condemnation.
- The U.S. raid in Venezuela has prompted a broader hemispheric security stance.
- Rubio’s comments signal heightened U.S. scrutiny of Cuba, citing Cuban involvement in Venezuela.
The remarks underscore a shift toward a more assertive U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere, with potential implications for regional stability.
Reported by Derrick M. Collins for News Of Fort Worth
