American Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Fears of Potential Danish Territory Takeover.
The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power competition 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 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 global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
