🔗 Share this article US Attack on Caracas Stokes Fears of Future Greenland Takeover. Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America. Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON." This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials. "We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North." The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized. Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs." Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 stated. He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security." Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat." The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries." Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years. Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario? Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America. Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON." This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials. "We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North." The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized. Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs." Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 stated. He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security." Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat." The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries." Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years. Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario? Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.