American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Future Danish Territory Takeover.
The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
