US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Danish Territory Takeover.
The recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and 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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
