US Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation.
The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered 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 sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
