US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Takeover.
Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
