American Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition.
Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our 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 diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously 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 which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
