Jan 5, 2026 – The UN Security Council holds an emergency meeting condemning the U.S. seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro; Denmark’s ambassador says “the inviolability of borders is not up for negotiation,” and Secretary‑General Guterres warns he is “deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected” [8].

Jan 6, 2026 – President Trump tells reporters “the United States needs Greenland for national security,” calling the island “so strategic” and accusing Denmark of being unable to secure it, while Greenland’s prime minister Jens‑Frederik Nielsen protests the remarks as “entirely unacceptable” [6].

Jan 6, 2026 – Trump brands Colombian President Gustavo Petro a “sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,” adds “Sounds good to me” when asked about possible action, and Petro replies on X that he will defend Colombia “with arms if necessary” [6].

Jan 6, 2026 – Trump warns Iran it will be “hit very hard” if it resumes killing protesters, saying the United States is “locked and loaded” to protect demonstrators, echoing the June 2025 U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities [6].

Jan 7, 2026 – Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the U.K. join Denmark in declaring “Greenland belongs to its people,” warning that any U.S. attempt to seize the territory would “destroy NATO,” while White House aide Stephen Miller invokes the “iron laws” of strength [4][5].

Jan 7, 2026 – The administration appoints former Louisiana governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, signaling a shift from rhetorical jokes to a “serious geopolitical flashpoint” after the Venezuelan operation [4].

Jan 10, 2026 – Analyst Ian Manners frames the Greenland crisis through four lenses—security, economic, planetary and multipolar power—highlighting Denmark’s post‑Ukraine‑invasion alignment with the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy as a historic shift influencing the current dispute [9].

Jan 12, 2026 – Trump announces the removal of Nicolás Maduro and says he will personally oversee Venezuela’s oil reserves, describing the move as part of a “new national security strategy” to remake the Western Hemisphere [3].

Jan 12, 2026 – Trump reiterates that U.S. ownership of Greenland would make NATO “more formidable,” arguing the island is essential for deterrence against Russia and China [3].

Jan 14, 2026 – Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio host talks with Danish and Greenlandic officials; Vance casts the tie‑breaking Senate vote that blocks a war‑powers resolution on Venezuela, preserving the administration’s latitude in the region [1][2].

Jan 14, 2026 – The White House blames DC U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for the DOJ investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, while Trump states “I have no plan to fire Powell” despite earlier hints of removal [1][2].

Jan 15, 2026 – Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announces a high‑level working group of the United States, Denmark and Greenland to explore a “shared path,” with meetings expected within weeks, even as he stresses a “fundamental disagreement” over U.S. control [2].

Jan 20, 2026 – Trump shares an AI‑edited map on Truth Social that adds Greenland, Canada and Venezuela to the United States, echoing his 2025 calls to make Canada the 51st state and reinforcing his Greenland bid; he also threatens tariffs on eight European countries starting Feb 1, rising to 25 % on June 1 if Greenland is not purchased [7].

Feb 1, 2026 (planned) – The administration’s announced tariffs on eight European nations are set to begin, escalating economic pressure on NATO allies over the Greenland dispute [7].

June 1, 2026 (planned) – Tariff rates on the same European countries are slated to increase to 25 % if the United States does not secure Greenland, intensifying the diplomatic standoff [7].