US Attack on Caracas Stokes Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Takeover.
The recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy 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 significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power rivalry 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction 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 prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint 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 vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once 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 troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
