US Attack on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Greenland Annexation.
The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 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."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek 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 many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
