US Attack on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.
The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "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 important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
