At a Glance
- President Donald Trump calls for US takeover of Greenland following a military operation in Venezuela.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns the Cuban government, calling it a failing nation similar to Venezuela.
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebukes Trump, insisting Greenland remains under Danish sovereignty.
- Why it matters: The U.S. push for control of Greenland and criticism of Cuba signals a more assertive Western Hemisphere policy, unsettling allies and adversaries alike.
A day after a covert U.S. raid in Caracas, President Donald Trump made headlines by demanding the U.S. take control of Greenland, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly warned Cuba that the island nation is in a state of crisis. The comments have sparked sharp responses from Denmark and Cuba, underscoring a renewed U.S. focus on the Western Hemisphere.
Trump’s Greenland Gambit
In an interview with The Atlantic, President Donald Trump declared:
> “We do need Greenland, absolutely,” he said, describing the island as “surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.”
He added:
> “They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don’t know.”
The White House declined to comment.
- “We do need Greenland, absolutely.”
- “Surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.”
- “They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don’t know.”
Denmark Responds
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the U.S. has no right to annex Greenland, reminding that Denmark already grants the U.S. access through NATO agreements. She urged the U.S. to stop threatening a close ally, adding:
> “We would therefore strongly urge the U.S. to stop threatening a historically close ally and another country and people who have made it very clear that they are not for sale.”
Denmark also signed an EU statement affirming the Venezuelan people’s right to self-determination.
Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen posted in response to a social-media map of Greenland in U.S. colors:
> “And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Cuba Under Pressure
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Cuban officials that they had been guarding Nicolás Maduro during the Caracas raid. He said:
> “It was Cubans that guarded Maduro. He was not guarded by Venezuelan bodyguards. He had Cuban bodyguards.”
Rubio added that Cuban bodyguards controlled “internal intelligence” in Maduro’s government, including “who spies on who inside to make sure there are no traitors.”
Trump echoed Rubio, saying:
> “I think Cuba is going to be something we’ll end up talking about, because Cuba is a failing nation right now, a very badly failing nation, and we want to help the people.”
Cuban authorities called a rally in support of Venezuela’s government, stating:
> “All the nations of the region must remain alert, because the threat hangs over all of us.”
Bárbara Rodríguez, a Cuban biochemical laboratory worker, said:
> “It can happen in any country, it can happen right here. We have always been in the crosshairs.”
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s call for Greenland reflects a broader U.S. strategy to assert influence in the Western Hemisphere.
- Rubio’s criticism of Cuba signals heightened pressure on Cuba amid its alliance with Venezuela.
- Denmark and the EU have firmly rejected U.S. claims and affirmed Greenland’s sovereignty.
The U.S. administration’s recent statements have reignited tensions across the hemisphere, prompting allies to defend their sovereignty while adversaries brace for potential shifts in U.S. policy.
