US Attack on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.
Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power competition 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
