After Trump's removal of Maduro, European leaders reject his demands for Greenland

Geoff Bennett:

Welcome to the "News Hour."

The divides opened by the Trump administration's weekend operation to remove Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro, widened further today. European leaders denounced increasingly aggressive statements by Mr. Trump and top officials about an American seizure of Greenland, a territory of NATO ally Denmark.

Late today, the White House press secretary shared a statement with the "PBS News Hour," saying -- quote -- "Greenland is a national security priority of the United States. The president and his team are discussing a range of options. And, of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option."

Meantime, as Nick Schifrin reports again tonight, in Venezuela, tensions and concerns are running high.

Nick Schifrin:

As Venezuela heads toward an unknown future, one family mourns the past. Jose Gonzalez says his 80-year-old sister, Rosa, was a kind woman, impeccable in her conduct, and one of the few civilians killed in the Friday night raid to capture Nicolas Maduro.

The family says the attack destroyed her Caracas apartment and inflicted a fatal wound.

Jose Luis Gonzalez, Brother of Civilian Killed (through interpreter): It caught us all by surprise. We never thought it would be like this way. But it happened, and it's something unavoidable now.

Nick Schifrin:

A now-unavoidable new future for Venezuela without Maduro, but his police state remains intact. Today, we filmed these scenes in Caracas, where normally bustling streets are relatively quiet,busy neighborhoods are closing early, and police are everywhere.

Residents are scared, because, while Maduro is gone, Venezuela is still led by his lieutenants, new President Delcy Rodriguez, sworn in yesterday by her brother Jorge, at least publicly defiant, alongside Maduro's son, U.S.-sanctioned Nicolas Ernesto:

Nicolas Ernesto Maduro Guerra, Son of Nicolas Maduro (through interpreter): I am convinced that with unity and more unity, with unity and more unity, we will prevail. They may have kidnapped Nicolas and Cilia, but they did not kidnap the conscience of a people who have decided to be free.

Nick Schifrin:

His father sits inside this Brooklyn detention center, and today was taunted by President Trump.

President Donald Trump:

He gets up there and he tries to imitate my dance a little bit.

(Laughter)

Donald Trump:

But he's a violent guy, and he's killed millions of people.

Nick Schifrin:

But there is little laughing in Europe today, especially Greenland. The world's largest island has been part of the kingdom of Denmark since 1721. Today it's a self-governing territory inside the NATO ally.

It is also geographically in the Americas and a crucial missile defense site, the shortest route between the United States and Russia, not to mention rich in rare earth minerals and potential offshore oil and natural gas.

Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff: The real question is, by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland?

Nick Schifrin:

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller on CNN last night.

Stephen Miller:

The United States is the power of NATO. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States.

Nick Schifrin:

That drew a furious reaction from some of the U.S.' closest allies.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk:

Donald Tusk, Polish Prime Minister (through interpreter):

No member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization should attack or threaten another member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Otherwise, NATO would lose its meaning.

Nick Schifrin:

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen:

Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark (through interpreter): If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops.

Nick Schifrin:

And, today, Frederiksen and Tusk, joined by France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K., in a statement -- quote -- "Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively in conjunction with NATO allies, including the United States, by upholding the principles of U.N. Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviability of borders."

Man:

The approval of the charter of the United Nations.

Nick Schifrin:

For 80 years, inviolability of borders has defined the post-World War II order. But the Trump administration now suggests that might makes right.

Stephen Miller:

We live in a world, in the real world, Jake, that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power.

Nick Schifrin:

As for power in Venezuela, a person familiar confirms to "PBS News Hour" the CIA assessed opposition leader Maria Corina Machado would not be able to hold the country together.

To counter that administration's souring, last night on FOX News, she added a sweetener:

Sean Hannity, FOX News Anchor:

Did you at any point offer to give him the Nobel Peace Prize? Did that actually happen?

Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela Opposition Leader:

The Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people, certainly want to give it to him and share it with him.

Nick Schifrin:

But, for President Trump, the coveted Peace Prize appears no longer the focus. Instead, it's extracting Venezuela's maximum value.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Nick Schifrin.