American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.
Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 "very small 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 reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "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 independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
