🔗 Share this article American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Potential Greenland Acquisition. The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere. Provocative Posts and Official Outrage Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON." This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives. "We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North." The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Political Moves and Strategic Goals The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US." After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs." Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base. Refusing to Rule Out Military Action In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry in the Arctic. "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 remarked. He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security." Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade. Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario? Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere. Provocative Posts and Official Outrage Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON." This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives. "We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North." The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Political Moves and Strategic Goals The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US." After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs." Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base. Refusing to Rule Out Military Action In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry in the Arctic. "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 remarked. He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security." Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade. Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario? Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.