American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.
The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 remarked.
He described 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 Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both 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 nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
