🔗 Share this article American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation. The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America. Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING." This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials. "We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic." The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added. Political Appointments and Strategic Goals The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs." Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base. Leaving the Door Open to Military Action In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 stated. He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security." Growing Tensions and Local Resistance In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk." The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries." Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years. Expert View: A Plausible Threat? Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America. Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING." This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials. "We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic." The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added. Political Appointments and Strategic Goals The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs." Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base. Leaving the Door Open to Military Action In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 stated. He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security." Growing Tensions and Local Resistance In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk." The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries." Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years. Expert View: A Plausible Threat? Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.