US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Greenland Takeover.
The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders 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 reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
