🔗 Share this article American Attack on Caracas Raises Anxieties of Potential Greenland Takeover. Recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America. Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON." This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials. "Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North." The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added. Political Moves and Strategic Interests The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics." Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security." Growing Friction and Local Resistance In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years. Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario? Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
Recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America. Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON." This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials. "Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North." The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added. Political Moves and Strategic Interests The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics." Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security." Growing Friction and Local Resistance In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years. Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario? Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.