US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Future Danish Territory Takeover.
Recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish 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 collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern 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 nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
