🔗 Share this article American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Concerns of Potential Greenland Acquisition. The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere. Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage Only hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON." This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials. "Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North." The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Political Moves and Strategic Goals The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics." Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base. Refusing to Rule Out Military Action In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 stated. He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security." Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat." The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years. Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat? Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently 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 not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere. Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage Only hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON." This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials. "Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North." The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Political Moves and Strategic Goals The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics." Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base. Refusing to Rule Out Military Action In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 stated. He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security." Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat." The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years. Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat? Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently 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 not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.