Czaputowicz argued that both cases show Washington asserting its influence across the Americas, with Venezuela offering key energy resources and Greenland seen as part of the North American continent.
He criticized the U.S. special forces operation on Jan. 3 that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas. The two were taken to the United States and charged in a New York federal court with conspiracy related to narcoterrorism. They pleaded not guilty.
While the U.S. maintains that Maduro was not a legitimate head of state, Czaputowicz said his arrest violated international law and Venezuelan sovereignty. He noted that the European Union, China, and Russia reacted cautiously, prioritizing geopolitical ties with Washington over legal norms.
“The EU has an interest in upholding international law, but maintaining American security guarantees is more important,” Czaputowicz said, suggesting this explains Europe’s mild response.
China and Russia, he added, prefer a world order based on power over legal principles, enabling them to justify their own interventions elsewhere.
Czaputowicz also accused the Trump administration of prioritizing strategic interests over democracy and human rights. He said Trump opposes installing opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who won Venezuela’s election, out of fear that regime change could lead to instability.
He likened the approach to U.S. policy in Poland in 1989, when Washington supported Wojciech Jaruzelski’s presidency before the democratic election of Lech Wałęsa.
Despite legal concerns, Czaputowicz said U.S. involvement in Venezuela could bring benefits, including higher oil revenues for Venezuelans and increased leverage for Washington to pressure Russia by affecting global oil prices.
Regarding Greenland, Czaputowicz called the situation complex. The island, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has long-standing aspirations for independence. Recent remarks from the White House indicated the Trump administration is considering various means—including military force—to acquire Greenland.
European and Canadian leaders have voiced support for Danish sovereignty. Still, Czaputowicz acknowledged that maintaining independence for a small population on a vast, resource-rich island would be difficult, especially given interest from China and a potentially resurgent Russia.
He said one possible outcome would be Greenland gaining independence while signing a strategic partnership with the U.S., allowing American military bases and resource access in exchange for defense and essential services.
While such a scenario might align with U.S. interests, Czaputowicz cautioned that Trump’s rhetoric risks alienating the Greenlandic population. He urged the EU and Poland to support Denmark while avoiding a rupture in transatlantic ties, especially as NATO’s future hinges on U.S. involvement.
Czaputowicz concluded that Washington might link continued support for Ukraine and Europe in the war with Russia to resolution of the Greenland issue on its terms.
“History shows that great powers like the United States tend to achieve their goals—one way or another,” he said.
(jh)
Source: PAP