US Attack on Caracas Fuels Fears of Potential Greenland Takeover.
The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 characterized 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."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
