US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did not exclude the possibility of an American military invasion in Greenland and Panama on Thursday. 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 he must be obtained by the United States for which he is vital. Greenland, which is the autonomous territory of Denmark, in turn, the US needs “for the purposes of national security”.
The plan is to prevent any threat
Hegsetha was confronted by members of the Committee of the House of Representatives for the Armed Forces. To the pressure of 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 “look forward to cooperation 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.
Americans would like such a plan, he says
“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 approved a bill on Wednesday, which 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 Greenable Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has promised in recent months to oppose any efforts of the US to take over the island.
According to Defense News, the Pentagon is likely 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 US, Mexico and Canada.
