American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition.
The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role 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 wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "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 sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
