US Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Fears of Future Danish Territory Takeover.
The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power competition 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
