🔗 Share this article American Attack on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition. The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere. Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING." This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives. "We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’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 ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Political Appointments and Strategic Goals The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics." Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base. Refusing to Rule Out Force In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security." Mounting Friction and Local Resistance In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, 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 delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries." Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade. Expert View: A Credible Threat? Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere. Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING." This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives. "We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’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 ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Political Appointments and Strategic Goals The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics." Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base. Refusing to Rule Out Force In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security." Mounting Friction and Local Resistance In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, 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 delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries." Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade. Expert View: A Credible Threat? Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.