标签： North America

The foreign policy approach of US President Donald Trump’s second administration is rapidly materializing through a series of confrontational actions and territorial ambitions across the Western Hemisphere. In a dramatic escalation, US forces conducted a nighttime raid on Caracas, successfully extracting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from their heavily fortified compound. This operation marks the most significant implementation of what Trump has rebranded the “Donroe Doctrine” – an updated version of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine asserting American supremacy throughout the Americas.

The administration’s ambitions extend beyond Venezuela to territorial acquisition. President Trump has publicly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, citing national security concerns about Russian and Chinese naval presence in the region. The vast Arctic territory, currently under Danish sovereignty, possesses substantial rare earth mineral deposits crucial for technology and military applications, areas where China currently dominates global production. Greenland’s strategic position also offers future access to emerging Arctic shipping routes as polar ice continues to melt. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen dismissed annexation fantasies while remaining open to diplomatic dialogue conducted through proper channels.

Simultaneously, Trump has intensified pressure on Colombia following the Venezuelan operation, directly warning President Gustavo Petro to “watch his ass.” The administration alleges Colombia’s left-wing leadership enables drug cartels to flourish, resulting in October sanctions against Petro. Aboard Air Force One, Trump characterized Colombia as being “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,” hinting at potential future operations.

The administration’s focus extends beyond the hemisphere to Iran, where Trump issued stark warnings amid ongoing anti-government protests. He threatened severe consequences if Iranian authorities responded with violence against demonstrators, despite Iran falling outside the Donroe Doctrine’s theoretical scope. This follows previous strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and continued coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reportedly discussed potential new strikes against Iran during recent meetings.

Closer to home, tensions with Mexico persist over drug trafficking and immigration. Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” by executive order and continues criticizing Mexican efforts to stem drug flows. While Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected any US military action on Mexican soil, Trump maintains that “something” must be done about powerful cartels.

Regarding Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida, Trump suggested military intervention might be unnecessary as the nation appears “ready to fall” due to economic collapse. With Venezuela historically supplying approximately 30% of Cuba’s oil, Maduro’s capture severely jeopardizes Havana’s energy security. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, son of Cuban immigrants, reinforced that Cuban officials should take Trump’s statements seriously regarding potential regime change.

In a dramatic escalation of geopolitical tensions, former and current U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his campaign to acquire Greenland, citing urgent national security concerns. The controversial proposition has been met with firm resistance from both Greenland’s autonomous government and Denmark, creating an unprecedented rift between the NATO allies.

Following a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, Trump intensified his calls for American control over the strategic Arctic territory. ‘We require Greenland from the standpoint of national security,’ Trump asserted to journalists. ‘The region is overwhelmingly strategic. Presently, Russian and Chinese vessels dominate the surrounding waters.’

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen delivered a sharp rebuke, characterizing Trump’s annexation ambitions as pure ‘fantasy’ and demanding an end to the pressure campaign. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reinforced this position, declaring that the United States possesses no legitimate claim to any territory within the Danish realm.

This territorial dispute represents a reactivation of Trump’s 2019 offer to purchase the island, which Denmark previously dismissed as nonsensical. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has not excluded military options, alarming European partners. The administration has further provoked Copenhagen through high-level diplomatic maneuvers, including Vice-President JD Vance’s visit to Greenland in March 2025, where he accused Denmark of inadequate investment in territorial defense.

The appointment of special envoy Jeff Landry in late 2025, who openly advocates for Greenland’s incorporation into the United States, ignited fresh diplomatic hostilities. The world’s largest non-continental island possesses growing geopolitical significance due to its position in the rapidly changing Arctic region, where melting ice caps are unlocking access to substantial deposits of rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron ore.

While Trump maintains that his interest is purely security-driven, historical context reveals deeper motivations. The U.S. military has maintained a continuous presence in Greenland since World War II, when American forces preemptively invaded following Nazi Germany’s occupation of Denmark. The Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) remains a critical component of America’s missile defense system, with experts noting its vital role in intercepting potential Russian nuclear strikes via the polar route.

Historical archives reveal that American attempts to acquire Greenland date back to 1867, when Secretary of State William H. Seward pursued acquisition shortly after securing Alaska from Russia. Another substantial offer of $100 million was presented in 1946, equivalent to approximately $1.2 billion today, but rejected by Danish authorities.

Despite Greenland’s colonial history and current status as a semi-autonomous Danish territory, polling indicates strong local support for eventual independence—though overwhelmingly opposed to American annexation. As one resident emphatically told BBC correspondent Fergal Keane: ‘Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. Trump can visit but that’s it.’

The escalating confrontation represents one of the most significant diplomatic challenges to transatlantic relations in modern history, testing the resilience of NATO alliances and international norms regarding territorial sovereignty.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced Monday his withdrawal from the upcoming gubernatorial race, ending his pursuit of an unprecedented third term amidst mounting political pressure and a sprawling fraud investigation that has drawn national attention. The Democratic governor, who previously served as Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election, stated his decision stemmed from a need to prioritize governing over campaigning during what he described as an ‘extraordinarily difficult’ period for the state.

The announcement follows intensified scrutiny from Republican critics, including former President Donald Trump, regarding the administration of Minnesota’s social safety net programs. Federal prosecutors estimate that fraudulent activities within state programs, particularly Medicaid, have resulted in approximately $9 billion in losses.

Walz defended his administration’s response, emphasizing ongoing measures to combat systemic fraud while accusing political opponents of exploiting the crisis. ‘For the last several years, an organized group of criminals have sought to take advantage of our state’s generosity,’ Walz stated. He specifically criticized the Trump administration’s recent decision to withhold federal childcare funding, characterizing it as a politically motivated attack that harms Minnesota families.

The funding freeze originated from allegations made by a conservative YouTuber claiming Somali-operated nurseries misused public funds. While state officials have challenged these allegations, and CBS News found no evidence of fraud upon reviewing public records, the controversy has intensified Minnesota’s status as a focal point in national immigration debates. The state hosts the largest Somali immigrant population in the U.S., a community frequently targeted by Trump’s immigration policies.

Walz concluded that continuing his campaign would divert attention from addressing both the fraud crisis and what he perceives as politically cynical attacks. ‘Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota,’ he stated, confirming his decision followed consultations with family and advisors.

In a significant escalation of geopolitical tensions, former US President Donald Trump has renewed his campaign to annex Greenland, drawing sharp condemnation from Danish leadership. The controversial remarks came amid ongoing regional instability following US military operations in Venezuela.

During an airborne press conference aboard Air Force One, Trump asserted that acquiring the autonomous Danish territory is crucial for American national security interests. ‘We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,’ Trump declared, suggesting further discussions would occur within weeks.

The proposal triggered an immediate diplomatic response from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who characterized the notion as ‘absolutely absurd’ and demanded Washington cease ‘threatening its historical ally.’ Frederiksen emphasized that both Denmark and Greenland benefit from NATO’s collective security protections.

Tensions intensified when Katie Miller, spouse of Trump’s influential adviser Stephen Miller, circulated an image on social media depicting Greenland adorned with American flag colors captioned ‘SOON.’ Greenland’s Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen condemned the post as ‘disrespectful,’ asserting that international relations ‘are built on mutual respect and international law; not on symbolic gestures that disregard our status and our rights.’

The geopolitical confrontation occurs against the backdrop of heightened Arctic competition, where Greenland’s strategic position and mineral resources have attracted global interest. Danish Ambassador to the United States Jesper Moeller Soerensen issued a pointed reminder that Denmark has ‘significantly boosted its Arctic security efforts’ in cooperation with Washington, stressing that nations should ‘continue to work together as close allies.’

Analysts suggest the renewed annexation talk reflects broader patterns of unconventional diplomatic approaches that characterized previous administrations, potentially affecting NATO unity and Arctic security dynamics.

WASHINGTON – In a dramatic escalation of tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly demanded “total access” to Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil reserves, following controversial military operations that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One on Sunday evening, Trump asserted that the United States required comprehensive access to Venezuela’s national resources to facilitate the country’s reconstruction. “We need total access. We need access to the oil and to other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country,” Trump declared, despite lacking direct communication with Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez.

The political crisis intensified as Trump claimed American authority over the South American nation, stating unequivocally that the U.S. was “in charge” of Venezuela and working with recently sworn-in officials. His comments came amid contradictory statements from Caracas, where Rodríguez simultaneously demanded Maduro’s immediate release and recognized him as Venezuela’s legitimate president during a National Defense Council session broadcast on state television.

Trump issued a stark warning to Rodríguez, suggesting she would face consequences “probably worse than Maduro” if she failed to cooperate with American demands. This threat echoed earlier comments made during a phone interview with The Atlantic, where the former president emphasized his administration’s hardline approach toward the Venezuelan leadership.

The situation developed rapidly after Maduro’s capture on Saturday morning, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly engaging in telephone diplomacy with Rodríguez. Trump characterized these interactions positively, noting that the acting president appeared “willing to do what we believe is necessary to make Venezuela great again,” while simultaneously acknowledging she had been “picked by Maduro” himself.

Rodríguez countered these claims by condemning U.S. military strikes on Caracas and other regions, describing them as a “savage attack” on Venezuela’s territorial integrity conducted specifically to capture Maduro, who is expected to appear in a New York courtroom on Monday.

In the wake of the dramatic seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Trump supporters in Florida are celebrating what they perceive as a masterful display of American strength. The operation, which resulted in no U.S. casualties, is being framed by the administration and its base as a necessary intervention fundamentally distinct from the prolonged nation-building missions of the past.

Dirk Frazier, a longtime Trump supporter from St. Augustine, articulated this sentiment, contrasting the swift Venezuelan action with the ‘never-ending wars’ in Iraq and Afghanistan that defined his youth. ‘We are acting like a world superpower again,’ Frazier stated. ‘All bad actors are on notice.’ This perspective is echoed by conservative strategists who emphasize the Western Hemisphere’s proximity, arguing that even isolationist elements within the MAGA movement view regional stability as a core national interest.

Administration officials, including Vice-President JD Vance, have vigorously defended the move, citing the need to combat drug flows and protect U.S. assets from what they characterize as a corrupt communist regime. ‘Are we just supposed to allow a communist to steal our stuff in our hemisphere and do nothing?’ Vance posed on social media.

Despite this unified front from supporters, the operation has not been without its critics. A handful of prominent Republicans, including Representative Thomas Massie and former ally Marjorie Taylor Greene, have publicly questioned the intervention, with Greene declaring ‘this is what many in MAGA thought they voted to end.’ Internationally, the removal of a sitting president has been condemned by many as a dangerous breach of international law.

The long-term outcome remains deeply uncertain. Former CIA deputy director John McLaughlin warned that inflicting violence carries unpredictable consequences, ‘even if you have a plan.’ While polling prior to the operation showed limited public support for military action, supporters in Florida’s ‘Little Venezuela’ believe the strategic benefits—potentially curbing migration and weakening leftist governments in Cuba and Nicaragua—justify the risk, viewing it as a calculated game of ‘chess, not checkers.’