U.S. Officials Signal Plans to Take Control of Greenland Following Maduro Capture in Venezuela

The dramatic U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reignited fears that America may set its sights on Greenland next.

Many observers are connecting recent comments from MAGA allies to potential moves in the Arctic, a region President Trump has repeatedly called vital to U.S. national security.

Hours after Maduro’s detention on drug trafficking charges, Katie Miller, a conservative podcaster and wife of Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Steven Miller, posted a provocative image online. The post showed Greenland overlaid with the American flag, accompanied by the word: “SOON.”

The social media post immediately drew criticism from Greenlanders and Danish officials, who insisted the territory’s sovereignty must be respected.

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Denmark Pushes Back Against Threats

Jesper Moller Sorensen, Denmark’s ambassador to Washington, responded to Miller’s post with a pointed reminder of the strong defense partnership between Denmark and the United States.

“Greenland is already part of NATO,” he emphasized, highlighting Denmark’s 2025 investment of $13.7 billion in Arctic and North Atlantic security.

The ambassador added that both Denmark and the U.S. share security responsibilities in the region and stressed the importance of respecting Greenland’s territorial integrity.

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Prime Minister Frederiksen Reaffirms Danish Sovereignty

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also spoke out during her annual New Year’s address, condemning the suggestion that Greenland could be annexed.

“Wanting to take over another country, other people. As if it were something you could buy and own,” she said, criticizing the ongoing pressure from the U.S.

Frederiksen revealed that Denmark is rapidly boosting its military capabilities in the Arctic to counter any perceived threats.

“We are in full swing strengthening Danish defense and preparedness,” she said, adding that the country is not seeking conflict but will firmly stand for what is right.

She further warned that allowing one country’s territorial integrity to be compromised could open the door for Russian advances into Europe, underscoring the strategic importance of Greenland.

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Fallout From Venezuela Operation

The Greenland debate comes on the heels of the U.S. military strike in Caracas, which captured Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The operation reportedly killed around 40 Venezuelan civilians and military personnel, while U.S. troops sustained only minor injuries.

Maduro and Flores were transported by helicopter to New York, stopping briefly at airfields in upstate New York and Puerto Rico. They are being held as they await trial, with the first hearing expected within 36 hours.

President Trump immediately declared that the U.S. would control Venezuela indefinitely, framing the operation as part of a broader strategy against the drug trade and regional threats.

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Trump Allies Highlight Greenland’s Strategic Role

Jeff Landry, Louisiana governor and U.S. special envoy to Greenland, praised the Venezuela operation on social media.

“With over 100,000 opioid-related deaths annually, I am grateful to see a President finally take real action in the war on drugs,” he wrote, linking the Maduro capture to national security priorities.

Trump has long argued that Greenland is critical to America’s defense and has hinted at integrating the territory into U.S. control. But local sentiment strongly opposes such moves.

A 2025 poll by Verian showed that 85% of Greenlanders do not want to join the United States, while only 6% would welcome it.

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Greenland’s Autonomy and Dependence

Though Greenland has had the legal right to declare independence since 2009, it has not pursued it, largely due to financial dependence on Denmark and reliance on public services.

Experts note that while the island is sparsely populated—around 57,000 residents—it holds vast mineral and strategic value in the Arctic, making it a focal point for international attention.

The debate over Greenland now sits alongside global scrutiny of U.S. actions in Venezuela, with Copenhagen and Washington carefully navigating security, sovereignty, and geopolitical pressures.

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