American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.
Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
