American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation.
The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director 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 couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
