US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday He did not rule out the possibility of American military invasion in Greenland and Panama. Before the legislators in the congress, he indicated that the Pentagon may have such plans, as otherwise for any “unforeseen event”. Informed about Defense News, writes TASR.
In recent months, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in taking control of the Panama Canal, Greenland and Canada. In the case of the Canal, for example, he claimed that China was actually operated by China, but it must be obtained by the United Statesfor which he believes it is vital. Greenland, which is the autonomous territory of Denmark, in turn, the US needs “for the purposes of national security”.
Hegsetha was confronted by members of the Committee of the House of Representatives for the Armed Forces. To the pressure of the Republican congressmen who demanded the possibility of a military attack on Greenland or Panama, Hegseth reiterated that “Pentagon has plans for any unforeseen events” and that US officials’are looking forward to working with Greenland to ensure its protection from any potential threats ”.
Such answers were not enough for the democratic congressman Adam Smith, who continued to push the Minister. “Is the policy of the Ministry of Defense that we must be prepared to occupy Greenland and Panama if necessary?” Smith asked. Hegseth did not answer the question directly, instead talking about US concerns about the influence of China in Panama and Greenland. “I think Americans would like the Pentagon to have plans for anything,” the Minister said, adding that the defense department “has plans for each particular unforeseen event”.
The Danish Parliament still approved the bill that allows the United States to have Military bases in Danish territory. Danish diplomacy chief Lars Lökke Rasmussen wrote in response to journalistic questions that Denmark will be able to terminate this new agreement if the US would try to annex Greenland or some part of it. Also Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen in the last months He promised to oppose any US efforts to take over the island.
Pentagon, according to Defense News probably is about to move Greenland from under the European command of the US Armed Forces under the northern command, which is responsible for the defense of the USA, Mexico and Canada.
