The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together 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 United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
