The dramatic US military action in Venezuela, culminating in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, has triggered international alarm and renewed fears that the United States may set its sights on annexing Greenland.
Diplomatic Firestorm Over Social Media Post
Just hours after Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was taken into custody on drug trafficking charges, a provocative social media post from a prominent Trump ally ignited a diplomatic row. Katie Miller, the wife of former President Donald Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and a conservative podcaster, shared a map of Greenland covered by the American flag with the caption 'SOON'.
The post was widely interpreted as a call for the US to seize the vast Arctic territory, which former President Trump has long coveted for its strategic position and untapped mineral wealth. The implied threat prompted an immediate and firm response from Danish officials.
Denmark and Greenland Respond with Forceful Unity
Jesper Moller Sorensen, Denmark's ambassador to the US, issued a sharp rebuke, reposting Miller's message with a 'friendly reminder' of the established defence ties between the two NATO allies. He emphasised that US security is intertwined with that of Greenland and Denmark, and pointed to the Kingdom's significant investment of $13.7 billion for Arctic and North Atlantic security in 2025 alone.
The ambassador concluded with a clear message: 'And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.'
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed this stance in her annual New Year's address, condemning what she described as 'threats, pressure, derogatory language' from a lifetime ally. 'Wanting to take over another country, other people. As if it were something you could buy and own. It doesn't belong anywhere,' she stated.
Frederiksen announced that Denmark is accelerating its military build-up 'so quickly' and strengthening Arctic security, vowing to 'stand firm on what is right and wrong'.
Context: Venezuela Operation and Greenland's Stance
The controversy follows the US strike in Caracas and the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. An official reported around 40 civilian and military fatalities in the Venezuelan capital. Maduro, accused by Trump of flooding the US with drugs, was flown to Manhattan to await trial.
Following the operation, Trump declared the US would run Venezuela indefinitely and reaffirmed his interest in Greenland, appointing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy with the goal of 'making Greenland part of the US'.
However, this ambition faces stark opposition from Greenlanders themselves. A January 2025 poll by Verian found that 85% of Greenland's 57,000 residents do not wish to join the United States. The territory, while self-governing, remains financially dependent on Denmark and has not pursued full independence.
The incident underscores the delicate balance within the NATO alliance and highlights the growing geopolitical significance of the Arctic region, where Denmark is determined to assert its sovereignty and partnership, not subjugation.
