Trump Revives Push for Greenland Takeover as Administration Issues Stark Warning to Cuba Following Maduro's Dramatic Capture

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2026 — President Donald Trump on Sunday doubled down on his long-standing desire for the United States to acquire Greenland, declaring the vast Arctic island essential for national security, while his administration delivered a pointed warning to Cuba's communist government in the wake of the audacious U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

In remarks aboard Air Force One and in interviews, Trump described Greenland as "surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships," insisting, "We do need Greenland, absolutely." He emphasized its strategic importance, stating, "We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security," and suggested Denmark would be unable to adequately protect it. The comments come amid heightened tensions with Copenhagen, which has repeatedly rejected any notion of selling or ceding the self-governing territory.

Trump's renewed focus on Greenland follows Saturday's high-stakes raid in Caracas, where U.S. special forces seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, amid explosions and strikes on military targets. Maduro, long indicted in the U.S. on narco-terrorism charges, was flown to New York to face federal prosecutors. The operation, dubbed by some as a modern invocation of the Monroe Doctrine, has sparked global condemnation but also emboldened the administration to signal broader ambitions in the Western Hemisphere.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," issued a stern message to Havana, declaring Cuba's regime "in a lot of trouble." Rubio highlighted Cuba's deep ties to Maduro, noting that Cuban officials and bodyguards were protecting the Venezuelan leader prior to his capture. "It was Cubans that guarded Maduro," Rubio said, adding that Cuban personnel oversaw internal intelligence in Venezuela.

Trump echoed the sentiment, predicting Cuba's economy—already strained by U.S. sanctions and reliant on subsidized Venezuelan oil—would collapse without its key ally. "Cuba looks like it’s ready to fall," he told reporters. "Cuba now has no income... It’s going down for the count." While ruling out immediate military action in Cuba, Trump suggested its downfall could come naturally, freeing the U.S. to "help the people."

The president's comments have rattled allies and adversaries alike. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged Trump to "stop the threats," affirming that Greenland is not for sale and that the U.S. has "no right to annex" any part of the Kingdom of Denmark. In Havana, residents expressed anxiety over the loss of Venezuelan support, with some fearing further instability amid ongoing blackouts and shortages.

International reaction to the Venezuela operation remains sharply divided, with condemnations from leaders in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and elsewhere decrying it as a violation of sovereignty. Trump, however, framed the actions as a triumph against drug trafficking and hostile regimes, while hinting at potential future targets, including Colombia over cocaine production.

As Maduro prepares for a court appearance in Manhattan, questions swirl about the administration's next moves. Analysts warn that Trump's expansive vision—spanning Arctic security to Latin American regime change—could reshape global alliances and test the limits of U.S. power in an increasingly multipolar world. 17GEN4.com