The Venezuelan government on Tuesday urged citizens to post the country’s official map on social media as a “symbolic action” after US President Donald Trump shared an altered image suggesting US control over Venezuela, Canada and Greenland.
The image, posted on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social shortly before 1:00am Eastern Time, showed a manipulated version of an August 2025 photograph taken in the Oval Office. The original image of world leaders was altered to display US flags over Venezuela and much of North America.
The photo included Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The post appeared while Trump and several global leaders were travelling to Davos for the World Economic Forum.
In a statement, Venezuela’s government said the call for online action was aimed at defending the country’s territorial integrity and countering what it described as misinformation.
The government urged citizens to share Venezuela’s official map, which includes the Esequibo region. Venezuela claims the territory, which makes up about two-thirds of neighbouring Guyana, though the claim is not recognised by the United Nations or major international powers.
The move comes amid heightened tensions following a US operation in Caracas on January 3, during which President Nicolás Maduro was captured, according to Venezuelan authorities. The Trump administration has since said it plans to “run” Venezuela and is working with Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice-president and interim successor.
Venezuelan officials have condemned the operation, which they say resulted in the deaths of around 100 people. At the same time, Rodríguez has said she intends to pursue diplomatic engagement with Washington. She has also agreed to a deal under which Venezuelan oil revenues will be channelled into US-controlled bank accounts.
Canada’s prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s post.
Speaking in Copenhagen on Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark would not abandon Greenland. She added that as Trump has not ruled out the use of military force, Denmark could not dismiss any scenario either.
Comment
