After Venezuela, Trump Sets Sights on Greenland, Weighs Military Option

The attack on Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, continues to draw condemnation toward the United States government, and now Donald Trump is analyzing options for a new target: Greenland.

The White House reported this Tuesday that it is "analyzing a variety of options" to acquire Greenland and does not rule out in Washington that fulfilling President Trump's old ambition may once again require the use of the United States Armed Forces.

"President Trump has made clear that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority for the United States and is critical to deterring our adversaries in the Arctic region," stated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a media release.

The spokesperson said that "the president and his team are discussing a variety of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal and, of course, using the U.S. military is always an option available to the Commander-in-Chief."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio tossed the idea to lawmakers this week—that the purchase of this autonomous Danish territory is under consideration. Danish authorities have repeatedly stated it is not for sale.

In turn, Rubio downplayed concerns about a potential U.S. military intervention in the short term, according to unidentified sources familiar with the matter.

Trump had paused his Greenland ambitions while intensifying his maximum pressure and threats against Venezuela: he mobilized and concentrated the largest military force in decades in the Caribbean off its coasts, multiplied sanctions, sank vessels over alleged drug trafficking links, ordered a naval blockade, and seized oil tankers.

After several months of harassment, he attacked Venezuela and kidnapped the constitutional president and first lady in a display of military might and imperial arrogance.

Perhaps, amid the euphoria, Trump decided to continue issuing threats, speaking of Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Iran, and Greenland.

In December, the Republican announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy to that autonomous territory early this year.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that Landry "understands how essential Greenland is to our national security and will firmly promote our country’s interests for the safety and survival of our allies and, indeed, the world."

President Trump raised the possibility of acquiring Greenland during his first term and reinforced this rhetoric during his 2024 campaign and after his return to the White House—an idea immediately rejected here in different political circles.

Trump has adopted a more expansionist foreign policy in this second term, including his renewed interest in that Danish territory, strategically located between the United States, Europe, and Russia. Its invaluable natural resources include significant reserves of oil, gas, and rare earth minerals.