After Venezuela, is the United States targeting Greenland? Since the capture of Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, there are growing concerns that Donald Trump could target other nations, including Greenland, in order to assert 'dominance'.
Trump said that Colombia, Cuba and Mexico were in his sights. "We absolutely need Greenland - we need it for defence," said Trump, adding that the Danish territory is "surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.
SOON pic.twitter.com/XU6VmZxph3
— Katie Miller (@KatieMiller) January 3, 2026
Trump on Sunday emphasised that the US must protect the Western Hemisphere from rival powers.
AUDIO | When asked about Greenland, US President Donald Trump says, “I will say this about Greenland - we need Greenland from a national security standpoint. It’s very strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships...”#DonaldTrump #Greenland… pic.twitter.com/8KfgbxY9el
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 5, 2026
A diplomatic row erupted with Trump's adviser's wife posting a US flag painted over Greenland amid the Venezuela operation. The image was posted hours after the Venezuela invasion.
Social media post irks Denmark
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen ridiculed Trump's statement and said there is "no sense to talk about the US needing to take over Greenland."
"The image shared by Katie Miller, depicting Greenland wrapped in an American flag, changes nothing whatsoever." Frederiksen also added that, "our country is not for sale."
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“That said, the image is disrespectful. Relations between nations and peoples are built on mutual respect and international law — not on symbolic gestures that disregard our status and our rights,” he added.
Earlier, Trump had pointed to Greenland's large reserves of rare earth minerals, oil, gas and other resources. US Thule Air Base, operating from the northwest coast of Greenland, plays a key role in missile defence.
Targeting Cuba, Trump has said it's a "falling nation right now." "That system has not been a very good one for Cuba.' Former president Joe Biden removed Cuba from a list of state sponsors of terrorism last year, but Mr Trump reinstated the designation within his first days in office.
Amid tensions, Cuba warned its citizens, saying, "All nations of the region must remain alert, as the threat hangs over all."