🔗 Share this article American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Fears of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition. Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America. Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON." This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials. "We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic." The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added. Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics." Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base. Refusing to Rule Out Military Action In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global competition in the polar region. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he stated. He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security." Mounting Friction and Local Resistance In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk." The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries." Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years. Expert View: A Plausible Scenario? Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure." "Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America. Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON." This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials. "We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic." The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added. Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics." Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base. Refusing to Rule Out Military Action In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global competition in the polar region. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he stated. He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security." Mounting Friction and Local Resistance In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk." The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries." Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years. Expert View: A Plausible Scenario? Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure." "Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.