President Trump waved goodbye as he boarded Air Force One to depart Palm Beach, Florida, and return to Washington, D.C., following the U.S. operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Bloomberg TV correspondent Annmarie Hodern reported from Air Force One on how Trump explained his rationale for the capture and his wider intentions: “Don’t ask me who’s in charge because I’ll give you an answer and it’ll be very controversial.” When he was asked “What does that mean?” Trump replied: “It means we’re in charge.” He also explained, “They took our oil away from us.” When asked about reopening an American embassy in Caracas, Trump said “We’re thinking about it.”
Via the RapidResponse47 X account, Trump also announced his plan for the region: “This isn’t a country that’s on the other side of the world… We’re in the business of having countries around us that are viable and successful, and where the oil is allowed to freely come out… It gets the prices down. That’s good for OUR country.”
Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins reported via X, Trump as saying “We’ll worry about Greenland in two months. Let’s talk about Greenland in…20 days.”
Fears of US takeover in Greenland
Meanwhile, the attack on Venezuela and the capture of the country’s president has sparked fears that the US plans to take over Greenland, a territory which President Trump has repeatedly said is vital to America’s security interests.
Hours after Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro was taken into custody on drug trafficking charges, Katie Miller, the wife of Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Steven Miller, shared a controversial post seemingly calling for the US to take the Arctic island over. Miller, a conservative podcaster, posted a map of the Danish territory covered by the American flag and simply wrote ‘SOON.’
Outrage from Greenlanders and Danes
The MAGA ally’s threat immediately drew outrage among Greenlanders and Danes who stood up to protect their home, which is known for its untapped mineral wealth and is part of NATO.
Jesper Moller Sorensen, Denmark’s ambassador to the US, reposted Miller’s incitement and shared a ‘friendly reminder’ of the established defense ties between the two countries. Sorensen wrote, “Just a friendly reminder about the US and the Kingdom of Denmark: We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security,” adding, “Greenland is already part of NATO. The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic.”
Sorensen also noted that Denmark has significantly boosted its Arctic security efforts, committing $13.7 billion in 2025 alone for use in the Arctic and North Atlantic, because they take joint security seriously. He added, “And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Denmark’s Prime Minister condemns Trump’s threats
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed Sorensen and revealed the country is ramping up its military force amid Trump’s threat to take over Greenland. During her annual New Year’s speech, Frederiksen blasted Trump’s ongoing threats, insisting that Denmark will “stand firm on what is right and wrong.”
“In this past year, we have had to pay attention to a lot. Threats. Pressure. Derogatory language. From our closest ally for a lifetime,” Frederiksen said, according to Danish daily newspaper Berlingske.
“Wanting to take over another country, other people. As if it were something you could buy and own,” she added. “It doesn’t belong anywhere.”
Denmark scrambles it’s military
Frederiksen said in the televised speech that Denmark is quickly ramping up its military force and reinforcing stronger security in the Arctic amid the president’s escalating pressure.
“My speech tonight has not been about foreign policy. It could well have been that. You know where I – where the government stands,” the prime minister said.
“We are in full swing strengthening Danish defense and preparedness,” she added. “Never before have we increased our military strength so significantly. So quickly.”
“We are not the ones seeking conflict. But let no one be in any doubt: No matter what happens, we will stand firm on what is right and wrong.”
The prime minister reiterated that the country is working to strengthen security in the Arctic, and described the kingdom as vast in territory but small in population.
“We are taking on our responsibilities in the world. If we let one country fall first, then the way is paved for Russia to advance further into Europe,” she said, according to the Danish outlet.
Maduro’s capture and US strike in Caracas
Talks of Greenland possibly being next in line for a US takeover come after Saturday’s dramatic capture of Maduro and his wife, Flores, as well as the US strike in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital.
Around 40 civilians and military personnel died in the strike, an official told the New York Times. No US casualties have been reported, but there was an undisclosed number of injuries among US troops, all of whom are reportedly in stable condition.
Maduro, 63, and his wife, 69, were taken into custody amid accusations from Trump that Venezuela has been flooding the US with drugs and gang members. They landed by helicopter in Manhattan on Saturday evening, after earlier making stops at airfields in upstate New York and Puerto Rico.