American Attack on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Annexation.
Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state 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 unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
