US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Future Danish Territory Annexation.
Recent American strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US 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 ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "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 inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
