The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’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 Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted 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.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
