Gemini: The raid on Venezuela (Operation Absolute Resolve) on January 3, 2026, has immediate and serious implications for Greenland because it signals the aggressive activation of what analysts are calling the “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine.
In short: The raid proves that the Trump administration is willing to use direct military force to seize control of territories in the Western Hemisphere it views as strategic assets, moving from “transactional” diplomacy (trying to buy Greenland) to “kinetic” enforcement (taking control).
Here is the breakdown of why the Venezuela raid has triggered specific alarms regarding Greenland:
1. The “Western Hemisphere” Justification
President Trump justified the capture of Nicolás Maduro not just as a counter-narcotics operation, but as a reassertion of American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere.
The Precedent: By declaring that the U.S. will “run” Venezuela temporarily, Trump has established that sovereignty in the Americas is secondary to U.S. strategic interests.
The Greenland Connection: Greenland is geographically part of the North American continent. The administration views it as a vital strategic asset (rare earth minerals, Arctic dominance) currently “mismanaged” by a European power (Denmark). The Venezuela raid suggests that “sovereignty” is no longer a shield against U.S. intervention in the Americas.
2. Resource Security & “Use It or Lose It”
The Venezuela operation was explicitly linked to securing oil reserves and preventing “foreign adversaries” (like China or Russia) from gaining a foothold in the Americas.
Parallel: Greenland is the other major resource prize in the hemisphere, specifically for rare earth metals essential for tech and defense.
Fear: The logic used for Venezuela—that the U.S. cannot allow a Western Hemisphere nation to be a liability or a playground for rivals—applies directly to Greenland, which the U.S. fears could fall under Chinese economic influence.
3. Renewed Rhetoric
In the weeks leading up to the Venezuela raid, reports indicated that Trump had privately and publicly renewed his interest in Greenland.
The Shift: Previously, Trump’s offer to “buy” Greenland was treated by Denmark as an absurdity.
The New Reality: Post-Venezuela, the threat is no longer a financial transaction but a geopolitical demand. The fear in Copenhagen is that the U.S. might demand basing rights, resource exclusivity, or a form of protectorate status under threat of economic or diplomatic coercion, rather than just a cash offer.
4. Immediate Reactions
Denmark & EU: European allies are reportedly scrambling. The silence or muted criticism from some corners regarding Venezuela (due to Maduro’s unpopularity) may embolden the administration. If the U.S. can decapitate a sovereign government in South America with little immediate consequence, the diplomatic pressure on Denmark to “cut a deal” on Greenland will likely intensify significantly in 2026.
Status: Greenland is now effectively on “watch” as the next target of the administration’s hemispheric consolidation strategy.
