> At a Glance
> – President Trump says Venezuela will “turn over” 30-50 million barrels of oil to the U.S. after a bold military capture of Nicolás Maduro
> – Maduro and wife Cilia Flores were injured when U.S. special forces stormed their Caracas hideout
> – France’s foreign minister says Secretary Rubio told him a Greenland takeover is “ruled out”-but the White House says military action is still on the table
> – Why it matters: The moves signal expanding U.S. military leverage abroad and rising tension with European allies
The Trump administration is simultaneously celebrating an alleged oil windfall from Venezuela and brushing off European warnings against targeting Greenland, underscoring its willingness to use force for strategic gains.
Venezuela Operation
U.S. special forces burst into the space where Nicolás Maduro and his wife were hiding, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the operation. Both Maduro and Cilia Flores sustained injuries during the raid.
Hours later, President Trump announced Venezuela would deliver 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States. He offered no timeline or verification details.
Greenland Tension
While European leaders push back on Trump’s designs on the self-governing Danish territory, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told France’s foreign minister that the administration has “ruled out” a Venezuela-style operation there.
The White House offered a different message, confirming that deploying U.S. troops to acquire Greenland remains under active consideration.
Shift on Ukraine
In a notable policy change, the United States for the first time endorsed a broad-coalition pledge to provide binding security guarantees to Ukraine if Russia attacks again. The move aligns Washington with European allies seeking long-term deterrence.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. forces captured Maduro in Caracas; Trump claims oil compensation is incoming
- European diplomats are lobbying to deter a similar military move on Greenland
- Washington now backs allied security commitments to Ukraine, marking a diplomatic pivot
With oil, territory and alliances all in play, the administration is testing how far military leverage can advance its strategic agenda.
