US Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.
The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
