President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in the United States acquiring Greenland, prompting a sharp rebuke from Denmark, following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela. Trump, in an interview with The Atlantic, stated, "We do need Greenland, absolutely," citing the island's strategic location and the presence of Russian and Chinese ships in the surrounding waters.

Trump's comments came a day after a U.S. military action in Venezuela and alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio's declaration that the communist government in Cuba is in trouble, signaling a potentially more assertive U.S. role in the Western Hemisphere. When asked about the implications of the Venezuela operation for Greenland, Trump responded, "They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don't know."

Denmark swiftly responded to Trump's renewed interest. Danish officials warned that the U.S. has "no right to annex" the territory, emphasizing Greenland's autonomous status within the Kingdom of Denmark. The Danish government has consistently maintained that Greenland is not for sale.

The renewed interest in Greenland reflects a long-standing U.S. strategic interest in the Arctic region. During the Cold War, the U.S. viewed Greenland as a crucial location for monitoring Soviet activity. Thule Air Base, a U.S. military installation in Greenland, remains a vital part of the U.S. ballistic missile early warning system. As Arctic ice melts due to climate change, new shipping lanes and resource extraction opportunities are emerging, further heightening geopolitical competition in the region. Trump's National Security Strategy, published last month, emphasizes restoring American preeminence, which analysts interpret as encompassing a more assertive approach to securing strategic assets and countering perceived threats from Russia and China.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment regarding the potential implications of the Venezuela operation for Greenland. The situation remains fluid, with the Danish government firmly rejecting any suggestion of a U.S. takeover and the U.S. administration yet to clarify its intentions.