American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Takeover.
Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 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 international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
