Former President Donald trump on Tuesday sharply criticized the United Kingdom’s plan to return the chagos Islands, including the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base, to Mauritius, reigniting debate over international security and colonial legacies[[2]]. The planned transfer, stemming from a 2019 International Court of Justice ruling[[2]], has prompted concerns about the future of U.S. military operations in the Indian Ocean and echoes Trump’s continued interest in acquiring Greenland[[3]]. The agreement to transfer sovereignty was finalized in May 2025 following an initial agreement in October 2024[[3]].
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Presiden AS Donald Trump di Gedung Putih. Foto/white house
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to denounce the agreement, stating, “It is truly shocking that our ‘brilliant’ NATO ally, the UK, is planning to give the Island of Diego Garcia, the location of a vital US Military Base, to Mauritius, and doing so FOR NO REASON… The UK giving away very important land is a HUGE MISTAKE, and is yet another reason in a long list of National Security reasons why Greenland should be acquired.”
Trump also asserted that Russia and China are observing what he characterized as “total weakness” from the UK, and urged Denmark and other European allies “to do the right thing.”
The United Kingdom announced in October 2024 its agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, which includes Diego Garcia, to Mauritius. The agreement was formally signed in May 2025.
Diego Garcia currently hosts a joint British-American military facility, playing a key role in regional security operations. The development underscores the complex diplomatic considerations surrounding the island’s future and the potential impact on military strategy in the region.
