American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Greenland Annexation.
The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage 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.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
