American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Fears of Future Greenland Takeover.
The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 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."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
