🔗 Share this article American Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Anxieties of Future Greenland Takeover. The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America. Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word 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 Danish officials. "We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North." The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added. Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs." Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base. Refusing to Rule Out Force In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global rivalry 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." Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries." Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years. Expert View: A Plausible Threat? Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America. Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word 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 Danish officials. "We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North." The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added. Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs." Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base. Refusing to Rule Out Force In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global rivalry 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." Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries." Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years. Expert View: A Plausible Threat? Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.