🔗 Share this article American Attack on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Annexation. The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America. Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING." This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials. "We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated 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 significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized. Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs." Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base. Leaving the Door Open to Military Action In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 remarked. 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 international security." Growing Tensions and Local Opposition In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries." Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years. Expert View: A Plausible Scenario? Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure." "Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America. Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING." This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials. "We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated 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 significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized. Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs." Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base. Leaving the Door Open to Military Action In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 remarked. 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 international security." Growing Tensions and Local Opposition In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries." Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years. Expert View: A Plausible Scenario? Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure." "Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.