American Military Operation on Caracas Raises Anxieties of Potential Greenland Takeover.
Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 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 Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
