🔗 Share this article US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition. The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere. Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON." This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials. "Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic." The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics." Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base. Refusing to Rule Out Force In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security." Growing Tensions and Local Resistance In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat." The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade. Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario? Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing 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 few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere. Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON." This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials. "Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic." The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics." Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base. Refusing to Rule Out Force In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security." Growing Tensions and Local Resistance In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat." The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade. Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario? Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing 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 few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.