American Attack on Caracas Stokes Fears of Future Greenland Takeover.
Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy 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 increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power rivalry 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
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 annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing 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 deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
