🔗 Share this article American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Danish Territory Takeover. Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere. Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON." This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives. "Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North." The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added. Political Appointments and Strategic Goals The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US." Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics." Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 remarked. He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security." Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat." 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 annex other countries." Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years. Analyst View: A Credible Scenario? Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed 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 troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere. Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON." This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives. "Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North." The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added. Political Appointments and Strategic Goals The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US." Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics." Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 remarked. He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security." Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat." 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 annex other countries." Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years. Analyst View: A Credible Scenario? Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed 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 troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.