🔗 Share this article US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Greenland Takeover. The latest American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere. Provocative Posts and Official Backlash Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON." This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives. "Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic." The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics." Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Military Action In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 stated. He characterized 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 Tensions and Local Resistance In reaction to this persistent "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 statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years. Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario? Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
The latest American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere. Provocative Posts and Official Backlash Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON." This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives. "Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic." The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized. Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics." Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Military Action In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 stated. He characterized 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 Tensions and Local Resistance In reaction to this persistent "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 statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years. Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario? Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.