American Attack on Venezuela Raises Fears of Potential Greenland Annexation.
The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also 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 North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 remarked.
He characterized 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."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
