The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 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."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed 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 unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
