American Attack on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Greenland Takeover.
The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate 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 collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 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."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
