US Attack on Caracas Stokes Concerns of Potential Greenland Annexation.
Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.