American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Future Greenland Annexation.
Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US 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 United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power 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 characterized 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 Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
