🔗 Share this article US Attack on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Annexation. The recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast island following the events in South America. Provocative Posts and Official Outrage Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING." This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives. "We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North." The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized. Political Appointments and Strategic Interests The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics." Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security." Growing Tensions and Local Opposition In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat." The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern 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 vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years. Analyst View: A Credible Threat? Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
The recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast island following the events in South America. Provocative Posts and Official Outrage Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING." This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives. "We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North." The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized. Political Appointments and Strategic Interests The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US." After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics." Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security." Growing Tensions and Local Opposition In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat." The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern 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 vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years. Analyst View: A Credible Threat? Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.