US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Danish officials to discuss Greenland next week after refusing to rule out using military action to seize the territory.
Speaking to reporters in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, Mr Rubio said that President Trump “retains the option” to use the US military to take Greenland - but would prioritise a “diplomatic” solution.
His comments come amid an escalating diplomatic crisis between Washington and its western allies, who have said that any attempt to occupy Greenland would violate Denmark’s sovereignty.
Earlier on Wednesday, the White House said the “president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utiliasing the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief's disposal.”
European leaders issued a statement on Tuesday declaring that “it is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland”.
Key Points
- White House considers using military in Greenland takeover
- Nato alliance could be in 'grave jeopardy' over Greenland, says former US national security adviser
- 'Absolutely yes': Machado says she should be Venezuela's next leader
- Trump says Venezuela is 'turning over' millions of barrels of oil
- Republican says taking Greenland by force 'would degrade both our national security'
Starmer quizzed over Trump's military plan for Greenland: 'A strategic mistake'
20:00 , Alex CroftFarage: Genuine security concerns in Greenland
19:30 , Alex CroftOur political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said that there are “genuine security concerns” surrounding Greenland, and that Donald Trump has a “point”.
However, Mr Farage said the future of Greenland was for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide, and warned military that if Trump used military force it could be “the end of Nato”.
He went on to say the world is moving into “national self interest”, which he said “will not be a bad thing provided those countries and democratic where leaders can be held to account”.
He said: “The concept of international law outdated…it’s no longer fit for purpose in 2026.”
Denmark refutes US claim that Russian and Chinese ships stalk Greenland
19:00 , Alex CroftGreenland, with a population of just 57,000, is not an independent member of Nato but is covered by Denmark's membership of the Western alliance.
The island is strategically located between Europe and North America, making it a critical site for the US ballistic missile defence system for decades. Its mineral wealth also aligns with Washington's ambition to reduce reliance on China.
Trump has repeatedly said Russian and Chinese vessels are stalking waters around Greenland, which Denmark disputes.
"The image that's being painted of Russian and Chinese ships right inside the Nuuk fjord and massive Chinese investments being made is not correct," Rasmussen told reporters late on Tuesday.
Vessel tracking data from MarineTraffic and LSEG show no presence of Chinese or Russian ships near Greenland.
Rubio ruled out military action in Greenland, says French foreign minister
18:29 , Alex CroftFrench foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot has claimed that a top US official ruled out carrying out military action to seize control of Greenland.
The White House said on Tuesday that Trump was discussing options for acquiring Greenland, including potential use of the US military, but Mr Barrot said such an operation had been ruled out by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"I myself was on the phone yesterday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio... who confirmed that this was not the approach taken... he ruled out the possibility of an invasion [of Greenland]," Mr Barrot said.
Why Donald Trump is so fixated with Greenland? Bel Trew explains
18:00 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has doubled down on his threats to annex Greenland by force, after claiming the mineral-rich territory is needed for US “national security”.
European leaders including Sir Keir Starmer have issued a statement declaring that Greenland “belongs to its people” as they defended the territory’s sovereignty and rallied to support Nato ally Denmark.
The White House has said that military force could be used on the strategically-important island. “Utilising the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief's disposal,” it said.
But why is the US president so fixated on Greenland? The Independent’s Chief International Correspondent Bel Trew breaks down the key issues.
White House says US 'actively discussing' purchase of Greenland
17:32 , Daniel KeaneWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has been speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill.
Asked about potential US military action in Greenland, she says that control of the Danish territory would give Washington “more control” over the Arctic region.
She said that US officials were “actively discussing” whether a purchase of the territory from Denmark was possible.
"All options are always on the table for President Trump ... the President's first option always has been diplomacy," she said.
Change to Greenland's status requires Denmark and Greenland consent, says Switzerland
17:31 , Alex CroftAny change to Greenland's status requires the consent of Denmark and Greenland, the Swiss foreign ministry said on Wednesday following a renewed threat by US president Donald Trump to take over the Danish territory.
Asked for its position on recent remarks by US government officials on Greenland, the Swiss foreign ministry said it did not comment on statements by foreign governments.
It then added in a statement: "According to international law, Greenland belongs to Denmark and has a status with extensive autonomy. Any change to this status requires the consent of both Denmark and Greenland."
Trump has in recent days repeated that he wants to take control of Greenland, an idea first voiced in 2019 during his first presidency, arguing it is vital for the U.S. military, and that Denmark has not done enough to protect it.
Greenlanders want independent from Denmark - and the US
17:00 , Alex CroftPolls indicate a majority of Greenlanders support independence in principle.
But many warn against rushing due to economic reliance on Denmark and becoming overly exposed to the United States if independence is pursued too quickly.
Fishing accounts for over 90 per cent of exports, while Danish subsidies cover about half the public budget, funding hospitals and schools and underpinning infrastructure for the vast sparsely populated territory.
Independence could allow association with the US under a Compact of Free Association, similar to agreements with Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands.
COFA typically provides US services and military protection in exchange for defence access, but whether Greenland would benefit depends on the scale of support and the pace of economic diversification beyond fishing.
US officials to meet with Denmark over Greenland next week
16:38 , Daniel KeaneMr Rubio added that US officials will meet with their Danish counterparts next week to discuss Greenland.
The meeting follows repeated threats by Trump to seize the territory using military action.
Rubio refuses to rule out military action in Greenland
16:33 , Daniel KeaneUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio has refused to rule out using military action to take over Greenland.
Speaking to reporters in Washington DC, Mr Rubio said that Trump “retains the option” to invade the territory, which is a part of NATO member Greenland.
“As a diplomat I would prefer we settle this in a different way. We tried to settle it that way in Venezuela”, he added.
A look back: How did Denmark get Greenland - and how did their relations develop?
16:30 , Alex CroftGreenland is now the subject of a major international dispute, with Denmark warning the US away from its semi autonomous territory. But how did the small European country come to run such a large expanse of land thousands of kilometres away?
Greenland was inhabited by Inuit peoples from Asia and North America intermittently from around 2,500 BC. Around 985 AD, Vikings led by Erik the Red settled in southern Greenland, farming and building churches. Around the same time, ancestors of today's Inuit arrived, living as hunters and gatherers. They became the dominant culture, pushing out Viking settlers around 1400.
Denmark colonised Greenland in the 18th century when missionary Hans Egede arrived in 1721, marking the start of the colonial era.
In 1916, the United States bought the Danish West Indies - now the U.S. Virgin Islands - for $25 million in gold. As part of that treaty, Washington declared it would not object to the Danish government extending its "political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland," formally recognising Danish sovereignty.
A strained relationship
Relations have been strained by revelations of historical misconduct. In the 1950s, Danish authorities forcibly relocated Inuit to larger towns, marginalising the practices and languages of indigenous people who make up almost 90 per cent of the population. Denmark apologised in 2022 for a 1950s experiment that sent Greenlandic children to Denmark.
Records show thousands of women and girls as young as 13 were fitted with intrauterine devices without consent between 1966 and 1991, when Greenland gained control over healthcare. Denmark apologised in 2025 for the decades-long birth control campaign.
A 2025 documentary alleged Denmark and companies profited from a cryolite mine between 1853 and 1987 without benefiting locals. Cryolite, used in aluminum production, was mined in Greenland at the world's largest deposit.
Editorial | A divided coalition of the willing is no use to anyone
16:01 , Alex CroftFollowing the coalition of the willing’s Paris meeting, it is clear that the moment where Western powers feel fully confident about their own security has not yet been reached – but Donald Trump now knows that the future of Greenland is not for Washington to determine...
Read The Independent’s editorial:
Trump says US will always support Nato - but 'they won't be there for us'
15:35 , Alex CroftPresident Donald Trump said on Wednesday the US would always support Nato and that Russia and China only feared the alliance as long as the United States was a member.
"We will always be there for Nato, even if they won’t be there for us," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump and administration officials have recently made a series of threats to take over Greenland, sharply raising tensions with Nato member Denmark.
Senior Finnish parliamentarian calls for Greenland to be raised at Nato
15:10 , Alex CroftA senior Finnish parliamentarian has called on Nato to convene to discuss the issue of Greenland.
Johannes Koskinen, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Finland's parliament, said Nato allies should "address whether something needs to be done and whether the United States should be brought into line in the sense that it cannot disregard jointly agreed plans in order to pursue its own power ambitions”.
What is the US presence in Greenland - and why does Trump want it?
14:45 , Alex CroftThe US military maintains a permanent presence at Pituffik air base in northwest Greenland under a 1951 agreement granting freedom to build bases with Danish and Greenlandic notification.
Denmark has historically accommodated the U.S. presence because Copenhagen does not have the capability to defend Greenland and benefits from U.S. security guarantees through Nato.
But why does Trump want Greenland?
The US president has said acquiring Greenland is a national security priority. The shortest route from Europe to North America runs via Greenland, making it important for the US ballistic missile early-warning system. Nuuk is closer to New York than to Copenhagen.
Greenland sits at a geopolitical crossroads amid Arctic militarisation by Nato, Russia and China. The US wants to expand its military footprint, including radars to monitor waters used by Russian vessels and submarines. The island also holds mineral, oil and gas wealth, though development has been slow.
Spain unaware of apparent French plan regarding Greenland
14:20 , Alex CroftSpain's foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Wednesday that Spain was not aware of any plan by France regarding Greenland, nor that such a plan had been shared with other European partners.
France said earlier on Wednesday it was discussing a response with European partners should the United States act on its threat to take over Greenland.
"We are not aware of a plan by the French in Greenland, nor that one has been shared with other European partners," Mr Albares told a news briefing after a cabinet meeting.
He also said that regarding Russia's war in Ukraine, countries negotiating the cessation of hostilities were still far from a peace plan, adding that there was only an outline of ideas at this stage.
Marinera oil tanker seized by US forces
13:56 , Alex CroftAs we reported earlier, US forces were considering seizing the Venezuela-flagged Marinera oil tanker.
The tanker fled the Caribbean Sea when the US captured Nicolas Maduro at the beginning of the year, setting the stage for Donald Trump to issue several threats of US control over and interference in countries and territories worldwide - including Greenland.
Follow our live blog on the seized tanker here.
Farage: Genuine security concerns in Greenland
13:44 , Alex CroftOur political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said that there are “genuine security concerns” surrounding Greenland, and that Donald Trump has a “point”.
However, Mr Farage said the future of Greenland was for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide, and warned military that if Trump used military force it could be “the end of Nato”.
He went on to say the world is moving into “national self interest”, which he said “will not be a bad thing provided those countries and democratic where leaders can be held to account”.
He said: “The concept of international law outdated…it’s no longer fit for purpose in 2026.”
Recap: European leaders rally behind Greenland and Denmark
13:11 , Alex CroftEuropean leaders have rallied together against US threats to takeover Greenland, declaring on Tuesday that “it is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland”.
A joint statement issued by British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Poland’s Donald Tusk, Spain’s Pedro Sanchez and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, declared that Greenland “belongs to its people”.
“Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security,” it said.
The US is an “essential partner” in the endeavour to keep the Arctic safe, as an ally in the Nato alliance.
But the statement was met with one from the White House which declared that Donald Trump is looking at a “range of options” to acquire Greenland.
Watch: Trump says the US 'needs' Greenland for national security
12:48 , Alex CroftDenmark refutes US claim that Russian and Chinese ships stalk Greenland
12:27 , Alex CroftGreenland, with a population of just 57,000, is not an independent member of Nato but is covered by Denmark's membership of the Western alliance.
The island is strategically located between Europe and North America, making it a critical site for the US ballistic missile defence system for decades. Its mineral wealth also aligns with Washington's ambition to reduce reliance on China.
Trump has repeatedly said Russian and Chinese vessels are stalking waters around Greenland, which Denmark disputes.
"The image that's being painted of Russian and Chinese ships right inside the Nuuk fjord and massive Chinese investments being made is not correct," Rasmussen told reporters late on Tuesday.
Vessel tracking data from MarineTraffic and LSEG show no presence of Chinese or Russian ships near Greenland.
Keir Starmer must stand up to ‘thieving Trump’, ex-defence secretary Ben Wallace says
12:06 , Alex CroftSir Keir Starmer has been urged by senior British military figures to be much tougher in resisting Donald Trump’s threat to take over Greenland.
Former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace accused President Trump of attempting to “thieve” Greenland’s mineral assets and said the prime minister must be less “mealy-mouthed” in condemning his actions.
He was backed by former Nato deputy supreme allied commander General Sir Richard Shirreff, who said the British government “ducks and weaves” instead of taking a firm stance on defending Greenland.
Our political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
China responds furiously to Trump's Venezuelan oil plan
11:47 , Alex CroftGlobal oil prices fell on Wednesday and China denounced the U.S. as a bully after President Donald Trump's administration said it had persuaded Venezuela to divert supplies from Beijing and import up to $2 billion worth of embargoed crude.
He said the US would refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of crude stuck in Venezuela under a US blockade as a first step in his plan to revive a sector long in decline despite sitting on the largest reserves in the world.
The deal could initially require cargoes bound for Venezuela's top buyer China to be rerouted as Caracas seeks to unload millions of barrels stranded in tankers and storage.
"The United States' brazen use of force against Venezuela and its demand for 'America First' when Venezuela disposes of its own oil resources are typical acts of bullying," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press conference.
"These actions seriously violate international law, gravely infringe upon Venezuela's sovereignty, and severely damage the rights of the Venezuelan people."
Why Donald Trump is so fixated with Greenland? Bel Trew explains
11:26 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has doubled down on his threats to annex Greenland by force, after claiming the mineral-rich territory is needed for US “national security”.
European leaders including Sir Keir Starmer have issued a statement declaring that Greenland “belongs to its people” as they defended the territory’s sovereignty and rallied to support Nato ally Denmark.
The White House has said that military force could be used on the strategically-important island. “Utilising the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief's disposal,” it said.
But why is the US president so fixated on Greenland? The Independent’s Chief International Correspondent Bel Trew breaks down the key issues.
Russia sends escort for Venezuelan oil tanker being tracked by Nato forces
11:05 , Alex CroftRussia has sent a navy escort to join a Venezuelan oil tanker breaking US blockade amid fears Donald Trump is moving to “seize” it.
The Marinera is one of a Venezuelan “shadow fleet” of tankers carrying oil in breach of US and international sanctions. Currently empty, it hastily renamed itself from the Bella 1 and painted a Russian flag on its side in an apparent bid for Russian protection.
It is on course to pass the UK between Scotland and Iceland as it moves across the North Atlantic ocean towards Russia, and is being tracked by British military aircraft among other Nato forces.
A US official told the Wall Street Journal that Moscow has sent a submarine and other vessels to accompany the ship on its journey and asked the US to cease pursuing it.
The Russian foreign ministry reportedly said it was monitoring the situation “with concern” on Tuesday, according to Russian state news agency RIA. It added the ship is “being given increased and clearly disproportionate attention by the US and Nato”.
Follow all the latest updates on the tanker on our live blog, manned by Nicole Wootton-Cane.
Venezuelan oil could mean a nearly $3 billion pay day for US: report
10:21 , Alex CroftPresident Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Venezuela will turn over 30 to 50 million barrels of “sanctioned oil,” which the U.S. will then sell.
The Associated Press reported that the sale could be worth as much as $2.8 billion with oil trading at about $56 a barrel.
Trump said he will control the money from the sale “to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.”
How has Denmark responded to Trump's desire for Greenland?
10:20 , Alex CroftGreenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has again become a flashpoint after the White House has made clear its desire to take control of the area.
Trump reiterated over the weekend that the US “needs” the territory.
Denmark has firmly rejected the idea, warning that any US military move against Greenland would effectively end NATO.
"If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops," prime minister Mette Frederiksen told local media on Monday.
"That is, including our NATO, and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War."
US may intercept Venezuela-linked oil tanker bearing Russian flag, reports say
10:01 , Alex CroftThe US may act to intercept a Russian-flagged oil tanker heading across the Atlantic to Europe after it evaded a blockade on Venezuela, according to a report.
The US, UK, France, and Ireland have all flown surveillance aircraft to monitor the Bella 1 after it fled from the Caribbean Sea last month to escape US capture. It is currently thought to be sailing between Scotland and Iceland.
Two US officials told CBS News that American forces plan to intercept the ship. The US would prefer to seize the vessel rather than sink it, the broadcaster reported.
The mission could come as soon as this week but may ultimately be shelved, officials said.
Read more here:
US may intercept Venezuela-linked oil tanker bearing Russian flag, reports say
Rubio ruled out military action in Greenland, says French foreign minister
09:38 , Alex CroftFrench foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot has claimed that a top US official ruled out carrying out military action to seize control of Greenland.
The White House said on Tuesday that Trump was discussing options for acquiring Greenland, including potential use of the US military, but Mr Barrot said such an operation had been ruled out by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"I myself was on the phone yesterday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio... who confirmed that this was not the approach taken... he ruled out the possibility of an invasion [of Greenland]," Mr Barrot said.
In pictures: Protesters criticise Trump for Greenland threats and Venezuela action
09:19 , Alex Croft
What the Greenland locals really think of Trump – and why he could be in for a shock
09:03 , Alex CroftMy journey to Greenland really began in 2018, when I saw someone capture the planet Saturn from their backyard using a telescope. It ignited my passion for the night sky and, as a photographer, I wanted to explore the most unusual places on the planet, where true dark skies can be found. I first headed to Finnish Lapland to see the northern lights, but the ultimate destination was always Greenland. That vast, ice-covered island far in the north stood out as a place I wanted to get to know above all others, so I sent several job applications despite not speaking Danish or Greenlandic. Eventually, I found myself working in a fish factory, which my family found amusing, as I have always disliked fish.
When Dennis Lehtonen, 30, left city life behind for one of the remotest places on Earth, he could not have imagined the extremes that awaited him. Three years later, after enduring –37C temperatures, using bags as toilets and sledding 20km to the nearest local shop, he explains why he has stayed – and what Greenland’s response to the US president really looks like...
What the Greenland locals really think of Trump – and why he’s in for a shock
'Absolutely yes': Machado says she should be Venezuela's next leader
08:43 , Alex CroftAs Donald Trump’s sights turn to Greenland, Venezuela remains a country in limbo, after the seizure of former president Nicolas Maduro who is now in New York to face drug charges.
María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner who Trump has recently rejected as an option for governing the country.
Speaking to CBS late on Tuesday, she has now declared that the “people of Venezuela have already chosen” who should take over.
While a legislator, Machado won a primary to run against Maduro in the 2024 presidential election, before the government banned her from running. Herstand-in candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, stepped in, and is widely recognised as the winner of the vote after the Maduro regime was accused of rigging the vote.
Asked if she should be Venezuela’s next leader, Machado said: “Absolutely yes. We are ready and willing to serve our people, as we have been mandated.”
Her coalition, she noted, already has a president elect in its team, with Edmundo Gonzalez.
But both Machado and Gonzalez are currently out of the country and it is unclear when they will return - although the former has vowed she will return soon as she demanded fresh elections.
France working on plan should US make move on Greenland
08:12 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing now from France’s foreign affairs minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who says France is working on a plan on how to respond should the US act on its threat to take over Greenland.
Barrot said the subject would be raised at his meeting with the foreign ministers of Germany and Poland later in the day.
The White House said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump is discussing options for acquiring Greenland, including potential use of the U.S. military, in a revival of his ambition to control the strategic island despite European objections.
Nato alliance could be in 'grave jeopardy' over Greenland, says former US national security adviser
07:53 , Alex CroftThe Nato alliance could be in “grave jeopardy” if a conversation around the US seizure of Greenland continues, the US’ former national security adviser has said.
“Of course nobody’s going to fight us over it, but it doesn’t mean we should take territory from a treaty ally,” John Bolton told CNN’s News Central.
“And if we do that or if, frankly, this conversation goes on much longer, I think the NATO alliance is in grave jeopardy. This is a self-inflicted wound by the Trump administration. It harms American security. It does not enhance it by this kind of talk about Greenland.”
Also speaking on the show was Democrat senator Jeanne Shaheen, who said she does not “believe [the threat] is serious” because it would involve undermining Nato.
“That would be crazy if the president tries to take Greenland,” she said. “They’re happy to partner with us. I mean to create this kind of antagonism with one of our best allies, which is Denmark... to create that kind of distrust just is undermining to our own national security here in America.”
Watch: Trump says the US 'needs' Greenland for national security
07:50 , Alex CroftEuropean leaders rally behind Greenland and Denmark
07:44 , Alex CroftEuropean leaders have rallied together against US threats to takeover Greenland, declaring on Tuesday that “it is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland”.
A joint statement issued by British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Poland’s Donald Tusk, Spain’s Pedro Sanchez and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, declared that Greenland “belongs to its people”.
“Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security,” it said.
The US is an “essential partner” in the endeavour to keep the Arctic safe, as an ally in the Nato alliance.
But the statement was met with one from the White House which declared that Donald Trump is looking at a “range of options” to acquire Greenland.
White House considers using military in Greenland takeover
07:38 , Alex CroftThe White House was clear on Tuesday that it is ready to use the military to achieve a takeover of Greenland.
"The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief's disposal,” it said in a statement.
It is an unprecedented threat to use military force against a territory which belongs to a Nato country - Denmark.
It also raises questions around whether other Nato countries would come to Greenland’s defence if the US were to attempt a military seizure, which is one of the alliance’s defining principles.
In pictures: Protests erupt after U.S. military operation in Venezuela
07:27 , Shweta SharmaFrom Seoul to California to Caracas, protests erupted across continents following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela.
Demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. embassy in South Korea and on the streets of Pasadena, calling for an end to military action, accountability from president Donald Trump and a turn towards diplomacy.
In Caracas, supporters of ousted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, rallied in defiance, chanting slogans and denouncing what they described as foreign aggression.
US adds more nations, including Venezuela, to costly visa bond policy
07:15 , Shweta SharmaPresident Donald Trump's administration has put 25 more countries on a list of nations whose citizens could be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for entry into the U.S., the State Department website showed on Tuesday.
The list mostly included countries from Africa, Latin America and South Asia. It had a total of 38 countries as of Tuesday. The policy for the newly added nations will go into effect 21 January, the State Department website said.
Venezuela, whose toppled leader Nicolas Maduro was seized by U.S. forces over the weekend and brought to New York, was also included in the list.
"Any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000," the State Department website said, adding the amount was determined at the time of the visa interview.
Applicants must agree to the terms of the bond through the U.S. Treasury Department's online payment platform, Pay.gov, the State Department said.
The U.S. government has said the bonds seek to deter visitors from overstaying their visas intended for tourism or business purposes.
Since taking office last January, Trump, a Republican, has pursued a hard-line immigration policy, involving an aggressive deportation drive, revocations of visas and green cards and screening of social media posts and past speeches of immigrants.
Human rights groups have widely condemned Trump's immigration and travel-related policies, saying they curb due process guarantees and free speech.
Trump and his allies say the policies seek to improve domestic security.
White House discussing 'range of options' for acquiring Greenland, Leavitt says
06:50 , Shweta SharmaWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump administration officials are discussing a wide range of options for acquiring Greenland, including using the US military to take it by force.
She said discussions include purchasing the territory from Denmark or establishing a compact of free association.
"President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it's vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region," Leavitt said.
"The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander in chief's disposal."
Trump wants the issue resolved before the end of his term.
The Danish Embassy in Washington is yet to comment on the matter.
Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has again become a flashpoint after White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said it was the formal position of the US government that Greenland should become part of the United States.
Trump reiterated over the weekend that the US “needs” the territory.
Denmark has firmly rejected the idea, warning that any US military move against Greenland would effectively end NATO.
"If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops," prime minister Mette Frederiksen told local media on Monday.
"That is, including our NATO, and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War."
Trump's Venezuela operation puts Starmer in 'awkward' position – expert
06:30 , Shweta SharmaWith the dramatic US military capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro earlier this week, global attention has shifted to how allies respond – not least the UK under prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Dr Dafydd Townley, an expert from the University of Portsmouth's Military Education Team, said the method in which the US operation was conducted has divided America's allies, with its harshest critics calling it totally against international law.
“It has placed Sir Keir Starmer in an awkward position. He must keep on the good side of Donald Trump, as he is acutely aware, but his failure to condemn the act has drawn criticism,” he said.
The UK government has not condemned the US raid outright, as the British prime minister attempts to walk a fine line between defending international law and keeping the US president on side.
He has said he wanted to “establish the facts” before passing judgment on whether Trump broke international law with the attack on Caracas while insisting the UK was not involved in the operation.
However, some of America’s closest allies strongly criticized the US military raid that captured Venezuela’s leader, raising objections at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting.
They argued that the operation violated international law and the U.N. Charter.
At the meeting, countries including France, Denmark, Russia and China demanded Maduro’s release.
“Where does Trump turn next? Greenland, Cuba, and Columbia have all been touted as potentially receiving the same treatment as Venezuela. Is this yet more of the foundations of the international order being pulled down? Not quite, but this presidency is proving to be contentious and consequential,” Dr Townley said.
Watch as Trump threatens to acquire Greenland
06:02 , Shweta SharmaNearly 75 people killed in Trump's operation to capture Maduro – report
05:56 , Shweta SharmaThe U.S. raid to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro is estimated to have killed about 75 people, according to Washington Post sources.
Venezuela has listed 23 military personnel as dead, while Cuba named 32 of its military and intelligence members as being killed in Venezuela.
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez has announced a seven‑day period of national mourning for military personnel killed during the U.S. operation.
Cuba will have two days of mourning for the 32 people who were killed.
How one of first photos of American military operation in Venezuela was captured
05:38 , Shweta SharmaMariana Camargo, 21, dashed through the streets of eastern Caracas when explosions erupted at night in Venezuela’s capital.
It was around 2am when blasts boomed in the background and Associated Press photographer Matías Delacroix ran onto the street, snapping what would become one of the first images of the American military operation in Venezuela.
“A woman arrived in a big truck and screeched to a stop and said, ‘Kids, what are you doing here? Go home, they’re bombing!’” Camargo recalled. “There were nine of us, and we started to run.”
The photo shows Camargo in a white shirt and jeans, sprinting through the street with fear and urgency on her face, while her friends ran behind her.
Delacroix said it was the emotion in her expression that drew his attention. Minutes earlier, he had awoken to the rumbling sound of American strikes, grabbed his camera, and ran toward the explosions while Camargo ran in the opposite direction.
“What caught my attention was how you were running, with your cellphone and clearly scared,” Delacroix later told Camargo. “I have photos of your friend behind you, but yours expressed the most of what was happening.”
Cuba identifies 32 men killed in American operation in Venezuela
05:10 , Shweta SharmaThe Cuban government has identified the 32 officers who were killed in the operation to capture Nicolas Maduro.
In a post on X, the government called the men as "victims of a new criminal act of aggression and state terrorism" by the U.S.
Among the deceased are colonels, lieutenants, majors and captains, as well as some reserve soldiers, ranging in age from 26 to 60.
It released the pictures, names and ranks of all 32 members.
Víctimas de un nuevo acto criminal de agresión y terrorismo de Estado, perpetrado contra la hermana República Bolivariana de Venezuela por parte de Estados Unidos, perdieron la vida en acciones combativas y tras férrea resistencia 32 cubanos. #HonorYGloria pic.twitter.com/ySWpwkBCzv
— Partido Comunista de Cuba (@PartidoPCC) January 6, 2026
The Cubans were present in the South American nation as part of agreements between the two countries. The areas of cooperation range from security to energy, with the sale of subsidised oil to the island since 2000.
However, the extent of military or advisory exchanges has rarely been reported.
Mark Kelly calls Trump's threats to acquire Greenland 'dumb'
04:40 , Rachel DobkinSenator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, has called the Trump administration’s threats to acquire Greenland “dumb.”
“Americans are struggling to pay bills and what is the President of the United States worried about? Taking over Greenland,” Kelly wrote on X Tuesday.
Americans are struggling to pay bills and what is the President of the United States worried about? Taking over Greenland.
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) January 7, 2026
This is dumb and undermines the alliances that keep our country safe. https://t.co/pJ9JD7pkyL
Earlier Tuesday, the White House said it was weighing options to acquire Greenland, including the use of the military.
Kelly, along with other former service members and intelligence officials in Congress, was targeted by Trump after releasing a video urging the military to defy illegal orders.
Watch: UN Ambassador Mike Waltz defends Venezuela operation: 'This was the right thing to do'
04:20 , Rachel DobkinWaltz: President Trump took real action. So, it's hard to figure out what they are so upset about. I think we know the answer. It’s because President Trump is a man of action. pic.twitter.com/qcS9OdPdNf
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 7, 2026
Tulsi Gabbard, who was once against U.S. intervention in Venezuela, congratulated the 'flawless' capture of Maduro
04:00 , Rachel DobkinTulsi Gabbard, who was once against U.S. intervention in Venezuela, congratulated the “flawless” capture of now-deposed President Nicolás Maduro.
The national intelligence director wrote on X Tuesday, “President Trump promised the American people he would secure our borders, confront narcoterrorism, dangerous drug cartels, and drug traffickers.
“Kudos to our servicemen and women and intelligence operators for their flawless execution of President Trump’s order to deliver on his promise thru Operation Absolute Resolve.”
This is a U-turn from her stance on Venezuela just a few years back.
In a resurfaced X post from 2019, Gabbard wrote, “The United States needs to stay out of Venezuela.”
https://t.co/GJFgOvW33k pic.twitter.com/1vjZjUPq0x
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) January 6, 2026
Watch: Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss doubts Americans or Venezuelans 'are ever going to get the benefit' of oil sale
03:50 , Rachel DobkinPres. Trump said Venezuela would turn over 30-50 million barrels of oil to the US, with money from its sale controlled by him. "I don't think either the American people or Venezuelan people are ever going to get the benefit of that money," says Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss. pic.twitter.com/VckYHS27uX
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) January 7, 2026
Republican says taking Greenland by force 'would degrade both our national security'
03:40 , Rachel DobkinSenator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, has said taking Greenland by force “would degrade both our national security and our international relationships.”
I continue to hope the administration’s rhetoric on Greenland is nothing more than posturing for a new era of cooperation, because any effort to claim or take the territory by force would degrade both our national security and our international relationships. We have a long…
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) January 7, 2026
The White House has said it was considering using the military to acquire Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark.
Mike Johnson says he doesn't think military action in Greenland is 'appropriate'
03:20 , Rachel DobkinWhen asked whether he would be comfortable using military action to seize Greenland, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Tuesday, “No, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
U.S. estimates about 75 people were killed in Venezuela raid: report
03:10 , Rachel DobkinThe U.S. government estimates about 75 people were killed in the military raid in Venezuela that led to the capture of now-deposed President Nicolás Maduro, officials familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.
Venezuelan oil could mean a nearly $3 billion pay day for U.S.: report
03:00 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Venezuela will turn over 30 to 50 million barrels of “sanctioned oil,” which the U.S. will then sell.
The Associated Press reported that the sale could be worth as much as $2.8 billion with oil trading at about $56 a barrel.
Trump said he will control the money from the sale “to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.”
What the Trump administration is saying on Venezuela and Greenland
02:51 , Rachel Dobkin- After the U.S. captured Venezuela’s now-deposed President Nicolás Maduro to face drug charges, Trump said the interim authorities in the country will turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of “sanctioned oil.”
- The president said on Tuesday the oil will be sold, and he will control the money from the sale “to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.”
- Earlier Tuesday, the Trump administration said it was weighing options to acquire Greenland, including the use of the military.
- "The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief's disposal,” the White House said.
House and Senate to receive closed-door briefings on Venezuela operation Wednesday
02:50 , Rachel DobkinThe House and Senate will receive closed-door briefings on the U.S. raid in Venezuela on Wednesday, per CNN.
Top lawmakers on Capitol Hill were already briefed Monday by officials from the Trump administration, which Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said “gave us no clear answer to what comes next in Venezuela” after its now-deposed leader Nicolás Maduro was captured.
Watch: Fox News host taking oil from Venezuela is 'good for America'
02:40 , Rachel DobkinFox News’ Greg Gutfeld said Tuesday evening that taking oil from Venezuela is “good for America.”
“When he says we are taking the oil, we can go, ‘Wow, that’s kind of brass.’ Yeah, but it's honest. And is it good for America? Well, yeah. It was our oil,” Gutfeld said on The Five.
Gutfeld: When he says we are taking the oil, we say wow… but it's honest. And is it good for America? Well, yeah. It was our oil. pic.twitter.com/fxiXHJAOkH
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 6, 2026
President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuela stole oil from the U.S. But several international energy law experts told the BBC that wasn’t the case.
Read more about Trump’s plan to seize Venezuela’s oil industry from the Associated Press’ Josh Funk:
Trump's plan to seize and revitalize Venezuela's oil industry faces major hurdles
Watch: Chuck Schumer lists questions about Venezuela that went unanswered in Congressional briefing
02:20 , Rachel DobkinSenator Chuck Schumer on the Venezuela briefing from the White House: "Every one of those answers would disappoint almost all of America" pic.twitter.com/kmJUQNvrIS
— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) January 6, 2026
Venezuelan opposition leader says she should lead the country after Maduro’s ouster
02:00 , Rachel DobkinVenezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has said she should lead the country after Nicolás Maduro’s ouster.
When asked by CBS Evening News host Tony Dokoupil in an episode that aired Tuesday if she should be the next leader of Venezuela, Machado said, “Absolutely yes.”
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as the country’s interim leader Monday.
Ruben Gallego reacts to Trump weighing using military to acquire Greenland: 'INSANE"
01:40 , Rachel DobkinSenator Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, has reacted to President Donald Trump considering the use of the U.S. military to acquire Greenland.
“INSANE. This is why I’m taking action,” Gallego wrote on X Tuesday. “Congress MUST act so I’m introducing my War Powers Resolution to stop this Dumbroe Doctrine.”
INSANE. This is why I’m taking action.
— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) January 6, 2026
Congress MUST act so I’m introducing my War Powers Resolution to stop this Dumbroe Doctrine. https://t.co/s9Ow1d9AmU
Gallego’s resolution is an attempt to prevent Trump from invading Greenland, a mineral-rich island in the Arctic that’s a self-governing territory of Denmark.
Republican and Democratic senators defend Denmark amid Trump's threats against Greenland
01:20 , Rachel DobkinSenators Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, have defended Denmark’s sovereignty amid President Donald Trump's threats to acquire Greenland.
Greenland, a mineral-rich Arctic island, is a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark is a NATO ally of the U.S.
Tillis and Shaheen, co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, said in a joint statement Tuesday that Denmark “has earned our unwavering respect.”
“When Denmark and Greenland make it clear that Greenland is not for sale, the United States must honor its treaty obligations and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” the senators said.
“With an active war in Ukraine and rising threats from Russia and China in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific, we cannot afford distractions or divisions within NATO. The strength of the transatlantic community lies in its unity, built on mutual respect rather than transactional rhetoric,” the statement continued.
Watch: Republican Rep. Don Bacon calls White House rhetoric about Greenland 'appalling'
01:00 , Rachel DobkinBacon on the administration's rhetoric about Greenland: "This is one of the silliest things I've heard come out of the White House in the last year. It's unacceptable and I hope other Republicans line up behind me and make it clear to the White House that it's wrong." pic.twitter.com/HH9LlDX5aJ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 6, 2026
Marco Rubio told lawmakers Trump admin wants to buy Greenland: report
00:40 , Rachel DobkinSecretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers during a closed-door briefing Monday that the Trump administration wants to buy Greenland from Denmark, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Wall Street Journal.
But the White House said in a public statement Tuesday that using the U.S. military to acquire the Arctic island was not off the table.
Senate Democrats attempt to curb Trump’s warmaking abilities after Venezuela raid
00:20 , John BowdenDemocrats in the Senate are pushing a pair of War Powers resolutions aimed at curbing Donald Trump’s ability to wage war abroad after the president directed a U.S. strike on Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro – and with the president leaving open the possibility that other countries could also be targeted.
Sen. Ruben Gallego on Tuesday announced a resolution aimed at preventing the president from using military force in an attempt to seize Greenland amid renewed threats from the White House challenging Denmark’s sovereignty over the territory. His announcement comes as the Senate is due on Thursday to vote on a separate resolution aimed at preventing further U.S. strikes inside Venezuela without congressional authority.
Read on...
Senate Democrats attempt to curb Trump’s warmaking abilities after Venezuela raid
Trump says Venezuela is 'turning over' millions of barrels of oil
00:00 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump has announced that Venezuela is “turning over” millions of barrels of oil.
“I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.
“This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!
“I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday evening.
Seven U.S. service members injured in Venezuela raid: report
Tuesday 6 January 2026 23:40 , Rachel DobkinSeven U.S. service members were injured in the operation that led to the capture of Venezuela’s now-deposed President Nicolás Maduro, the Associated Press reported, citing the Pentagon.
Out of those seven service members, two are still recovering from their injuries that occurred during Saturday’s raid.
A U.S. official told the AP the service members suffered from gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries.
Democrat senator gladly backs Ruben Gallego's war powers resolution to prevent Greenland invasion
Tuesday 6 January 2026 23:20 , Rachel Dobkin and Eric GarciaSenator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, told The Independent Tuesday that he has gladly co-sponsored Senator Ruben Gallego’s war powers resolution to prevent President Donald Trump from invading Greenland.
Kaine tells me “I’m glad to Cosponsor” Gallego’s War Powers resolution to prevent Trump from invading Greenland
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) January 6, 2026
The Arizona Democrat wrote on X on Monday, “Trump is on a high from his illegal operation in Venezuela and is bragging about potentially sending our young men and women into more stupid wars of conquest. Greenland could be next.”
Trump is on a high from his illegal operation in Venezuela and is bragging about potentially sending our young men and women into more stupid wars of conquest. Greenland could be next.
— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) January 6, 2026
I’m introducing an amendment to make it clear that Congress will not bankroll illegal,…
Watch: Chuck Schumer says he was 'very disappointed' by Trump administration's answer when asked about targeting more countries
Tuesday 6 January 2026 23:00 , Rachel DobkinSchumer: I asked for assurances that they were not planning operations in other countries like Colombia and Cuba and I was very disappointed in their answer. pic.twitter.com/724DWBrw7B
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 6, 2026
Europe’s showdown with Trump over threat to Greenland
Tuesday 6 January 2026 22:40 , Bel TrewEurope set up a showdown with Donald Trump after its leaders joined Canada and Denmark to rally behind Greenland, insisting it “belongs to its people” as the US president doubled down on threats to imminently annex the strategic, mineral-rich island.
Despite backlash from Europe the White House insisted on Tuesday it is "discussing options for acquiring Greenland.”
"President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it's vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region,” the Trump administration said in a statement.
“The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilising the U.S. military is always an option at the commander-in-chief's disposal,” the statement added.
Earlier in the day, leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain had joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in defending Greenland’s sovereignty.
“Greenland belongs to its people,” the statement said. “It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”
Read on...
Watch: Pam Bondi calls Nicolás Maduro a 'monster'
Tuesday 6 January 2026 22:25 , Rachel Dobkin.@AGPamBondi on the arrest of Maduro: "This isn't just a drug dealer. He's a monster. He's a narcoterrorist... they supplied these drug dealers with machine guns, with grenades, with everything to further their cocaine conspiracy and what they were doing around our country." pic.twitter.com/2Z43YpwSTK
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 6, 2026
INSIDE STORY: What the Greenland locals really think of Trump – and why he could be in for a shock
Tuesday 6 January 2026 22:19 , Dennis LehtonenWhen President Trump first said he wanted to buy Greenland, I asked many local people what they thought. I didn’t hear a single person say it would be a good idea then, and I am still waiting. As for the most recent soundbite from the president about looking down the coast and seeing “Russian and Chinese ships all over the place”, the typical response here is: “Trump is talking nonsense again.”
But then Katie Miller, the wife of Stephen Miller, a former senior adviser to Trump, posted a picture of Greenland draped in the American flag, accompanied by the ominous single word “SOON”, and suddenly everything feels a bit more serious. Not for nothing are Greenlandic people now flooding social media with pictures of Greenland in the colours of their flag.
Read on...
What the Greenland locals really think of Trump – and why he’s in for a shock
ANALYSIS: The White House wants to ‘own’ the Western hemisphere. Voters aren’t really buying it
Tuesday 6 January 2026 22:16 , Andrew FeinbergLike a novice gambler whose response to a big win is to start betting bigger, the Trump White House is doubling down on their aggressive approach to the Americas in the wake of the U.S. military raid to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro over the weekend.
Over the four days that have elapsed since the daring, unprecedented — and according to critics, illegal — special forces action that brought Maduro from a Caracas safe house to a New York courtroom on drug and weapons charges, the president and his allies in the White House have proceeded to threaten or warn of military action against multiple American allies and neighbors, including Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and Denmark, the NATO member kingdom which has controlled Greenland in whole or in part since the 16th century.
Trump himself told reporters on Sunday that the result of his decision to have U.S. forces seize Maduro was to show that “American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again,” while claiming that his administration’s aim was to make sure the hemisphere was filled with “countries around us that are viable and successful and where the oil is allowed to freely come out.”
For Trump, it was a return to the bellicose rhetoric he’d spouted since the days immediately following his 2024 election victory, when he began claiming the U.S. needs to annex Greenland for “national security” reasons despite the existence of a decades-old treaty that essentially gives America carte blanche to base troops there as part of the country’s commitment to NATO.
Read on...
The White House wants to ‘own’ the Western hemisphere. Voters aren’t really buying it
Trump is considering using military to acquire Greenland
Tuesday 6 January 2026 22:04 , Rachel DobkinThe Trump administration is weighing options to acquire Greenland, including the use of the military.
"The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief's disposal,” the White House said Tuesday.
