🔗 Share this article American Attack on Caracas Raises Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition. The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast island following the events in South America. Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON." This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives. "We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’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 Arctic." The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added. Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US." After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics." Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base. Refusing to Rule Out Force In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force 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 remarked. He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security." Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance In response 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 Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "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 residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade. Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario? Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted 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 troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast island following the events in South America. Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON." This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives. "We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’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 Arctic." The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added. Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US." After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics." Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base. Refusing to Rule Out Force In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force 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 remarked. He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security." Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance In response 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 Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "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 residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade. Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario? Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted 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 troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.