US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Potential Greenland Takeover.
The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 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 global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
