US Attack on Caracas Fuels Fears of Future Danish Territory Annexation.
Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
