TL;DR
The US military action in Venezuela and the detention of Nicolás Maduro prompted online calls from MAGA figures for the US to seize Greenland, drawing a sharp response from Danish officials. Copenhagen reiterated defence ties and respect for Danish sovereignty while concerns grow over rhetoric from US politicians and appointees.
What happened
Hours after a US bombardment of Venezuela and the reported capture of President Nicolás Maduro, supporters of Donald Trump celebrated the operation and some pushed for the United States to seize Greenland. A prominent rightwing podcaster posted an image of Greenland overlaid with the US flag and the caption “SOON,” prompting outrage in Denmark. Copenhagen’s ambassador to Washington, Jesper Møller Sørensen, reposted the provocation with a reminder of long‑standing defence cooperation between Denmark, Greenland and the United States and said Denmark increased defence spending in 2025, committing $13.7bn that could be used in the Arctic and North Atlantic. The episode comes after President Trump named Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland; Landry has publicly said he wants Greenland to become part of the US and praised the action in Venezuela. Trump has previously refused to rule out military action to obtain Greenland, and Danish and Greenlandic leaders have reiterated that national borders and sovereignty must be respected. Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service recently described the US as a security risk.
Why it matters
- Greenland holds strategic value for Arctic defence and hosts the US base at Pituffik, making any talk of annexation geopolitically sensitive.
- Provocative rhetoric from US political figures is straining relations with NATO ally Denmark and raising alarm in Greenland.
- The episode highlights wider great‑power competition in the Arctic involving the US, China and Russia.
- Questions about respect for sovereignty and international law are resurfacing, with Danish and Greenlandic leaders insisting borders cannot be annexed.
Key facts
- US forces carried out a bombardment of Venezuela and the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, was reported captured.
- A post on X by podcaster Katie Miller showed Greenland with a US flag and the caption “SOON,” sparking outrage in Denmark.
- Denmark’s ambassador to the US, Jesper Møller Sørensen, emphasised existing defence ties and said Denmark committed $13.7bn in 2025 defence spending usable in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
- President Trump named Louisiana governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland; Landry has publicly expressed a desire to make Greenland part of the US and praised the Venezuela operation.
- Trump has declined to rule out using force to acquire Greenland in past remarks to US media.
- Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO member, and hosts the US’s northernmost military base, Pituffik.
- Danish and Greenlandic prime ministers Mette Frederiksen and Jens‑Frederik Nielsen restated that national borders and sovereignty are rooted in international law.
- A January poll indicated most of Greenland’s roughly 57,000 residents want independence from Denmark but do not want to become part of the United States.
- Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service recently characterised the United States as a security risk, marking a notable diplomatic shift.
- Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, warned it could be relatively easy for the US to deploy troops to Greenland and questioned who could stop such a move.
What to watch next
- Whether the US positions additional troops or assets in Greenland in the near term — not confirmed in the source.
- Any formal diplomatic steps between Denmark, Greenland and the US addressing territorial integrity and defence arrangements — not confirmed in the source.
- Further comments or policy moves from President Trump or his special envoy Jeff Landry regarding Greenland’s status — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Sovereignty: The authority of a state to govern itself and control its territory without external interference.
- Annexation: The forcible acquisition of one territory by another state, typically considered illegal under modern international law.
- Pituffik: The location of the United States’ northernmost military base on Greenland.
- NATO: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance of North American and European countries.
- Arctic strategic competition: Geopolitical rivalry among states (notably the US, Russia and China) over influence, resources and military positioning in the Arctic region.
Reader FAQ
Did the US attack Venezuela and capture Nicolás Maduro?
The source reports a US bombardment of Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
Is the United States formally planning to annex Greenland?
Not confirmed in the source. The article notes President Trump has said he would not rule out military action, but no formal US plan to annex Greenland is reported.
How have Danish and Greenlandic leaders reacted?
They have reiterated that national borders and sovereignty are protected by international law and demanded respect for the Kingdom of Denmark’s territorial integrity.
Do most Greenlanders want to become US citizens?
According to a poll cited in the source, most of Greenland’s population wants independence from Denmark but does not want to become part of the United States.
Has Denmark assessed the US as a security threat?
Yes. Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service recently described the United States as a security risk, according to the source.
View image in fullscreen The US vice-president, JD Vance (centre), and his wife, Usha, tour the US military’s base at Pituffik in Greenland in March last year. Photograph: Jim Watson/AP…
Sources
- US attack on Venezuela raises fears of future Greenland takeover
- MAGA Sets Sights on Next Target Hours After Venezuela …
- Tracking congressional criticism of Trump's attack on …
- The Observer view: might is not right
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