The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies 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 guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global rivalry 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
