US Attack on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Acquisition.
Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments 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 president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers 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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
