The White House could turn its attention towards the Chagos Islands instead of Greenland after Donald Trump’s plans to take control of the territory failed.
The president is said to be looking at buying the islands in the Indian Ocean from Mauritius following threats to purchase, invade or otherwies take over numerous countries, including Canada, Cuba and Venezuela.
If Trump were to do so, it would enable him to sidestep Britain and give him control of the US-UK Diego Garcia military base.
One US official told The Independent the proposals would be a ‘mistake’ for the UK.
They said the US was still in ‘regular discussions’ with Britain over control of the archipelago, adding: ‘Diego Garcia’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it a vital and indispensable military installation of significant importance to the national security of the United States.
‘We remain in regular discussions with our British allies as we work together to preserve the viability of Diego Garcia as a regional security platform.’
Since retaking office, Trump has floated the idea of taking over a number of territories and countries.
By the end of 2026, the US government is hoping to ‘change the leadership’ of Cuba and is looking for insiders to ‘cut a deal’ to make this possible.
All the US military needs now is a final ‘go-ahead’ from Trump before launching a military attack on Cuba, Politico reported.
The US also interfered in Venezuela earlier this year as the government did not view its president, Nicolas Maduro, as a legitimate leader.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Cartel de los Soles, or Cartel of the Suns, is ‘responsible for terrorist violence’ in the Western Hemisphere and alleged Maduro had ties with the group.
Maduro was effectively removed from power after the US launched a military strike on Venezuela in January, but the Venezuelan government claims he remains the de jure president.
The Chagos Islands are made up of seven atolls and more than 60 islands in the Indian Ocean around 310 miles south of the Maldives.
The islands had been under British control since 1814 and were formally established as an overseas territory in 1965.
But in 2024 the British government agreed to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following a sovereignty dispute.
A treaty was finalised in May 2025, which would allow the UK to lease Diego Garcia for at least 99 years.
However, the ratification of this treaty is on hold indefinitely, in part due to US opposition.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@usnewsrank.com.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Discover more from USNewsRank
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.