American Attack on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Takeover.
The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, 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, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power rivalry 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
