The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power competition 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint 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 nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant 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 analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
