US Attack on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Future Greenland Acquisition.
The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
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 mineral exploitation. It currently houses 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 gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now 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 which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
