The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 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 global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
