U.S. President Donald Trump has again insisted that Greenland should become part of the United States, reaffirming his stance despite Denmark’s call to stop making “threats” over the issue. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington, Trump said Greenland was essential for U.S. national security and that Denmark could not fulfill that role. His comments came as U.S. military intervention in Venezuela heightened European concerns about Washington’s global ambitions.

The controversy deepened after Katie Miller, wife of a senior Trump adviser, posted an image of Greenland’s flag recolored with the U.S. flag’s design and captioned “Soon,” sparking anger in Denmark and the European Union. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the idea of taking control of Greenland “completely unreasonable” and urged Washington to stop threatening its historic ally. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen described Miller’s post as “disrespectful,” emphasizing that his country was not for sale and that its future would not be decided on social media.

Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S., Jesper Møller Sørensen, reminded that Denmark is a NATO member working closely with Washington on Arctic security, urging continued cooperation as allies.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Speaking late Sunday night aboard Air Force One, Trump suggested that Colombia could face possible U.S. military action. He described Petro as a “sick man” leading a country allegedly involved in cocaine production and trafficking to the United States, adding that such activities would not continue for long.

Trump also commented on Cuba’s deteriorating political and economic situation, saying the country might collapse without direct U.S. intervention. He claimed that Cuba’s economy, heavily dependent on Venezuelan oil, was now in deep crisis and that the nation was “ready to fall.” According to Trump, many Cuban Americans in the United States would welcome this outcome.

The remarks, reported by the Financial Post, reflect Trump’s increasingly aggressive tone toward leftist governments in Latin America following Maduro’s detention.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called President Donald Trump to protest the U.S. operation in Venezuela that led to the detention of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Speaking at a press conference in New York, Mamdani said he strongly opposes any attempt to change another country’s government. He confirmed that he personally spoke with Trump to express his objection to the operation.

Mamdani stated that his opposition is rooted in what he described as an effort to impose regime change, which he believes violates both federal and international law. Earlier, in a post on social media platform X, he said that a unilateral attack on a sovereign nation amounts to an act of war and breaches international norms. He also noted that such actions affect not only people abroad but also New Yorkers, including thousands of Venezuelan immigrants living in the city.

According to the report, Maduro and his wife were brought to New York after being detained in Venezuela and were later sent to a detention facility in Brooklyn following legal procedures.

The United States lifted its flight ban over Caribbean airspace on Saturday night following a military operation in Venezuela that led to the detention of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. According to AFP reports from Washington, the couple was flown by helicopter to New York, where they face charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offenses. The U.S. special forces captured them early Saturday after an airstrike in Caracas.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on social media platform X that the restriction was lifted at midnight local time (GMT 05:00), allowing scheduled flights to resume. He stated that airlines had been notified and would promptly update their flight schedules. The Federal Aviation Administration had previously ordered commercial airlines to avoid Caribbean airspace due to safety risks during the ongoing military operation.

The lifting of the ban signals a return to normal air traffic in the region after temporary disruption caused by the U.S. military action in Venezuela.

Retired US Lieutenant General Ben Hodges has issued a strong warning against American intervention in Venezuela, saying that removing President Nicolás Maduro would be the easy part but the real challenge would begin afterward. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hodges said he doubts the US government has a clear plan for what comes next, drawing parallels between current US confidence and the overconfidence seen during the early stages of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Responding to President Donald Trump’s comments about not fearing to put “boots on the ground,” Hodges cautioned that military involvement without clear strategic goals and solid political and civilian planning is extremely risky. Based on his experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, he warned that lack of preparation could lead to loss of control.

Hodges, a former commander of US Army forces in Europe, also noted that Cuba is entangled in the crisis, as Venezuela’s oil supply is vital to Havana. He claimed around 30,000 Cuban workers are in Venezuela and said the US administration’s new national security strategy signals a push to reinforce its influence across the Western Hemisphere.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a clear warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro following the capture and transfer of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to the United States. Speaking at a press conference in Florida, Trump accused Petro of overseeing cocaine production and trafficking operations that send drugs into the U.S. He claimed Petro runs cocaine factories and urged close monitoring of his activities.

Before the operation in Venezuela, Trump had repeatedly accused Caracas of involvement in illegal drug smuggling into the United States. In his latest remarks, he also criticized Cuba, describing it as a “failed state” and blaming its leadership for decades of economic hardship. Trump suggested that Cuba could soon become a central topic in U.S. policy discussions.

Trump added that the U.S. wants to help the Cuban people and those who have migrated from Cuba to live in America, signaling potential future engagement on Cuban issues.

Large-scale protests took place across major US cities including Washington DC, New York, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles against President Donald Trump’s military operation in Venezuela and the reported abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Demonstrators carried Venezuelan flags and chanted slogans opposing the military action, braving freezing temperatures and rain to express their dissent.

Protesters held placards reading “No war against Venezuela” and “Hands off Latin America.” In Los Angeles, a Party for Socialism and Liberation organizer named Cameron criticized US motives, saying the country prioritizes profit over people. The Chicago-based Anti-War Committee stated that they oppose the use of public funds to fuel imperialist wars and reject any attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty.

The protests reflect growing domestic opposition to US military involvement in Latin America, with participants demanding an end to interventionist policies and respect for Venezuela’s independence.

New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has sharply criticized the United States for detaining Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and bringing him to New York. According to Mamdani, the US operation in Venezuela amounts to an act of war and violates both international and federal law. The statement was reported by CNN.

Mamdani said he had been informed about the operation and Maduro’s detention. He described the unilateral action against a sovereign nation as a clear attempt at regime change that affects not only people abroad but also New Yorkers, including thousands of Venezuelan immigrants who consider the city their home. He emphasized that his administration’s main priority is ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers, including members of the Venezuelan community.

The mayor added that his administration will closely monitor the situation and provide necessary guidance. The report noted that the number of Venezuelan immigrants in New York City has significantly increased over the past three years, with many settling permanently in the city.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arrived in the United States on Saturday, landing at Stewart Air National Guard Base, about 70 kilometers from New York City. According to reports, the plane carrying Maduro landed around 5 p.m. Eastern Time. After landing, he was transported by helicopter to Manhattan’s West Side Heliport and then to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters for initial legal processing. Authorities plan to transfer him to a detention facility in Brooklyn following the court procedures.

U.S. media footage showed FBI officers positioned near the aircraft door as Maduro, wearing a blue jacket and partially covering his face, was escorted down the stairs by American officials. He was surrounded by members of the FBI and DEA. Reports indicate that preparations are underway to present him before a federal court in Manhattan on charges related to drug and arms trafficking.

The Brooklyn detention center where Maduro is expected to be held is known for housing high-profile inmates, including R. Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Sean “Diddy” Combs. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed responsibility for Maduro’s capture in Venezuela and released a photo of him in custody.

The United States, under President Donald Trump’s administration, carried out military attacks in seven countries during 2025, according to conflict monitoring group ACLED. The operations included drone and airstrikes totaling 622 incidents since Trump took office in January 2025. The latest assault occurred in Venezuela, where U.S. forces reportedly detained President Nicolás Maduro following coordinated explosions in Caracas. Earlier, the U.S. had targeted Venezuelan naval vessels in September, citing drug trafficking allegations.

The report details U.S. strikes in six Muslim-majority nations—Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Iraq—alongside Venezuela. In Nigeria, attacks on December 25 targeted alleged ISIS-linked groups; in Somalia, at least 111 strikes were recorded; and in Syria, 70 ISIS sites were bombed in December. The U.S. also struck Iranian nuclear facilities in June, conducted daily raids in Yemen under “Rough Rider,” and killed an ISIS leader in Iraq in March.

Analysts noted that these actions contradict Trump’s campaign promise to end U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, despite his self-portrayal as a peace advocate.

The United States launched an attack on Venezuela on Saturday after several days of warnings from President Donald Trump. The assault reportedly targeted Venezuelan boats described as drug-laden vessels. Despite this military action, Trump continues to present himself as a messenger of peace and has claimed he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for halting wars in 2025. The incident raises questions about the consistency of his campaign promises and his current foreign policy direction.

During his first presidential campaign, Trump pledged to put 'America First' and end U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, gaining strong support from Americans in the Middle East. In a past debate, he criticized the Bush administration for the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and called the Iraq War a major mistake. At the start of his second term in January 2025, Trump promised to end global conflicts and restore peace, saying his success would be measured not only by wars won or ended but also by those avoided.

Sarang Shidore of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft said Trump has played a role in halting some conflicts but lacks the subtle, sustained diplomacy needed for global peace. He noted that U.S. actions in Latin America, Nigeria, and Somalia reflect a return to aggressive interventionism driven by domestic political motives.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. According to Bondi, the charges against Maduro include narcoterrorism, cocaine importation, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such devices against the United States. She stated that the couple will soon face American justice in a US court, though she did not specify the charges against Maduro’s wife.

Bondi expressed gratitude to the US military, crediting them for conducting what she described as an incredible and highly successful operation to capture the two accused international drug traffickers. The announcement was reported by BBC and repeated across multiple statements in the source.

The indictment marks a significant legal escalation against Venezuela’s leadership, though details about the timing of court proceedings or the specific evidence presented were not disclosed in the report.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will be tried in the United States. The statement followed confirmation from Senator Mike Lee, who said he had spoken with Rubio by phone regarding Maduro’s detention. Earlier, US President Donald Trump claimed that Maduro and his wife had been arrested following a large-scale US military operation in Venezuela.

According to a BBC report cited in the source, Senator Lee said Rubio did not expect further action in Venezuela now that Maduro was in US custody. Lee added that the US attacks were carried out to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrants. However, he also expressed concern on social media about the constitutional justification for such actions without a formal declaration of war or authorization for military force.

Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that the operation was conducted with the cooperation of US law enforcement agencies and that more details would be released later.

The United States launched a military attack on Venezuela, with President Donald Trump claiming the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Shortly after the assault began, Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona denounced the action on social media platform X, calling it an illegal and unjustified war. Gallego, a former US Navy serviceman who served in Iraq from 2002 to 2006, described it as the second unjust war of his life.

Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah also questioned the legality of the operation, writing on X that he was eager to understand how the move could be constitutionally justified without a formal declaration of war or congressional authorization for the use of military force. In recent months, several Democratic and Republican lawmakers have voiced opposition to the Trump administration’s military actions in Latin America.

The bipartisan criticism highlights growing unease in Congress over unilateral military interventions in the region, suggesting potential challenges ahead for the administration’s foreign policy approach.

On January 1, 2026, Zohraan Mamdani was sworn in as the new mayor of New York City in a special ceremony. Immediately after taking office, he signed an executive order canceling several directives issued by former mayor Eric Adams, including measures supporting Israel. According to the order, all directives signed on or after September 26, 2024, and effective through December 31, 2025, have been revoked, while earlier executive orders will remain in force until amended or withdrawn.

This decision effectively nullifies several of Adams’s policies, including one that prohibited New York City agencies from boycotting or disengaging from Israel. However, the Office for Combating Anti-Semitism, established under the previous administration, will continue to operate.

Following the announcement, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Mamdani on social media of inciting anti-Semitism, marking an early diplomatic tension in his tenure.