US Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Takeover.
The latest American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 stated.
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 international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
