US Attack on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Danish Territory Annexation.
Recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer 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 returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "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 territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
