American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition.
The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire 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 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 global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish 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 forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
