US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation.
The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
