Summary
President Donald Trump on Sunday slammed Colombian President Gustavo Petro, calling him “sick” and accusing him of involvement in cocaine trafficking to the U.S. At the same time, Trump renewed his interest in Greenland, citing national security concerns—a move that drew sharp responses from Denmark and other Nordic nations.
Trump Calls Out Colombia
Speaking from Air Force One, Trump said, “Colombia’s very sick too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. And he’s not going to be doing it very long.” When asked if the U.S. might take action in Colombia, Trump said, “It sounds good to me,” hinting at possible future operations.
Greenland Remains On His Radar
Trump then turned to Greenland, stressing its strategic importance. “We need Greenland from a national security situation. It’s so strategic,” he said, echoing his previous statements about acquiring the Danish territory.
Denmark Pushes Back
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected Trump’s remarks, calling them baseless threats against a longtime ally. She reminded the public that Greenland is part of NATO and already covered by a defense agreement with the U.S. Frederiksen emphasized that Greenland’s people and sovereignty must be respected.
Nordic Leaders Support Denmark
Leaders from Finland, Norway, and Denmark publicly backed Greenland’s sovereignty. Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S. stressed that Greenland is not an object for superpowers to bargain over. He wrote, “Our country is a people, a land, and a democracy. This must be respected, especially by close friends.”
Global Implications
Trump’s comments highlight ongoing tensions between U.S. ambitions in the Arctic and South America and the sovereignty of allied nations. They also raise questions about the balance between national security and respecting international partners.
