American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Acquisition.
Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global rivalry 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
