US Attack on Venezuela Raises Concerns of Future Danish Territory Annexation.
Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power competition 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
