WASHINGTON (AP) – In recent developments, President Donald Trump has intensified his rhetoric regarding an American takeover of the Danish territory of Greenland, following a daring U.S. military operation in Venezuela aimed at the ousting of Nicolás Maduro. On Sunday, Trump asserted that Greenland is crucial for U.S. national security, particularly in light of increased Chinese and Russian naval activity in the region. He emphasized that Denmark cannot adequately protect U.S. interests in Greenland.
Trump's comments came a day after the military action in Venezuela shook the political landscape, and they serve as a clear signal that the U.S. administration is keen on expanding its influence in Latin America. Trump's references to the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which opposes European colonialism, further underscore his administration's assertive stance towards neighboring countries.
Upon returning to Washington from Florida, Trump stated, “It’s so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.” He reiterated his views in an interview with The Atlantic but offered no clear indication of what the military actions in Venezuela might predict for Greenland.
These declarations have unsettled Danish officials. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that Trump has “no right to annex” Greenland, pointing out that Denmark provides broad access to the territory through existing security agreements as a NATO ally.
Frederiksen further urged the U.S. to cease its threats against Denmark and noted that “the right of the Venezuelan people to determine their future must be respected.” Alongside this statement, Denmark signed onto a European Union declaration reinforcing this sentiment.
Trump's comments about Denmark drew more ire from Danes, particularly when he mocked Danish efforts to enhance Greenland's security by stating that they had added “one more dog sled” to its arsenal. The situation escalated with a controversial social media post from Katie Miller, a former Trump official, which depicted Greenland with U.S. flag colors and the caption “SOON.” This resulted in a stern reaction from Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S., Jesper Møller Sørensen, who demanded respect for Denmark’s territorial integrity.
In addition to his remarks about Greenland, Trump took aim at Cuba, a significant ally of Venezuela. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that Cuban officials directly supported Maduro and were responsible for his security prior to the military operation. Rubio suggested that Cuba's economy would decline further following Maduro's ouster, affecting the post-revolution state that has long been at odds with the U.S.
Addressing Colombia, Trump expressed concerns about President Gustavo Petro, labeling him as “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.” Maintaining pressure, Trump indicated that military operations against Colombia could be considered due to its role in the global cocaine trade. This comes after the U.S. administration emphasized that Colombia has not cooperated in combating drug trafficking, leading to reduced U.S. support.
In summary, Trump's renewed focus on Greenland and the assertive military actions in Latin America, particularly Venezuela and Colombia, reflect a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy under his administration. The ramifications of these moves are being felt across the Western Hemisphere, raising questions about the direction of U.S. relations with its allies and adversaries alike.
