🔗 Share this article American Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Takeover. The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere. Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash Only hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING." This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives. "Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North." The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added. Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs." Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security." Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade. Expert View: A Plausible Threat? Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy 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 concluded.
The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere. Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash Only hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING." This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives. "Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North." The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added. Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US." Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs." Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base. Leaving the Door Open to Force In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security." Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk." The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries." Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade. Expert View: A Plausible Threat? Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure." "It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy 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 concluded.