American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Concerns of Potential Greenland Takeover.
Recent American strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry in the polar region. "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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both 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 complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
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."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
