American Attack on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Potential Greenland Takeover.
Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, 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 envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
