🔗 Share this article US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Potential Greenland Acquisition. Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere. Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING." This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials. "We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North." The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added. Political Appointments and Strategic Goals The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US." After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs." Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base. Refusing to Rule Out Military Action In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security." Growing Tensions and Local Opposition In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years. Analyst View: A Credible Scenario? Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously 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 few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere. Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING." This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials. "We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North." The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added. Political Appointments and Strategic Goals The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US." After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs." Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base. Refusing to Rule Out Military Action In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security." Growing Tensions and Local Opposition In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years. Analyst View: A Credible Scenario? Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously 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 few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.