US Attack on Caracas Stokes Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition.
Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern 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 inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
