After Venezuela, U.S. weighs military option to take control of Greenland, White House confirms

What happened: The White House said President Donald Trump is not ruling out the use of U.S. military power as one of several options to acquire Greenland.

Why it matters now: The statement follows recent U.S. action in Venezuela and has reignited tensions with Denmark, a close NATO ally.

What changes for people: The remarks raise fresh concerns over global security stability, Arctic governance, and alliance trust.

Who is affected: Denmark, Greenland, NATO partners, Arctic nations, and global markets tracking geopolitical risk.

Washington: The United States has signaled a sharper turn in foreign policy rhetoric, with the White House confirming on January 7, 2026, that military force remains an option under consideration to bring Greenland under U.S. control.

The clarification comes amid growing global scrutiny of Washington’s actions following the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, a development that has already unsettled diplomatic norms.

What the White House said

U.S. officials said President Donald Trump views Greenland as a strategic priority, and that no options are off the table, including military ones. The administration stressed that discussions are ongoing and that no final decision has been made.

Official position: The White House confirmed that military action is “not excluded” in discussions over Greenland.

Why Greenland is strategically sensitive

Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, holds major importance due to:

Its Arctic location

Existing U.S. military installations

Growing competition involving Russia and China in polar regions

Security analysts say control over Greenland would significantly expand U.S. defense reach in the Arctic, a region increasingly central to global power dynamics.