US Attack on Venezuela Raises Concerns of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.
The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 stated.
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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously 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 soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
