🔗 Share this article US Attack on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Future Greenland Acquisition. The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America. Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON." This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials. "Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic." The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs." Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 value them... But we need that for global security." Mounting Friction and Local Resistance In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat." The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex 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 little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade. Expert View: A Plausible Threat? Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America. Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON." This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials. "Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic." The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs." Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 value them... But we need that for global security." Mounting Friction and Local Resistance In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat." The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex 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 little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade. Expert View: A Plausible Threat? Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.