American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.
Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
