American Attack on Caracas Stokes Fears of Future Danish Territory Annexation.
Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing 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 deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
