American Military Operation on Caracas Raises Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Takeover.
The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to 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 US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified 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 reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
