🔗 Share this article American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Takeover. Recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere. Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON." This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials. "Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic." The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added. Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs." Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base. Leaving the Door Open to Military Action In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 remarked. He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security." Growing Tensions and Local Opposition In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary 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 must not annex other countries." Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade. Expert View: A Plausible Scenario? Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing 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 deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
Recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere. Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON." This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials. "Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic." The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added. Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs." Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base. Leaving the Door Open to Military Action In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 remarked. He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security." Growing Tensions and Local Opposition In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary 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 must not annex other countries." Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade. Expert View: A Plausible Scenario? Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing 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 deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.