The latest American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite 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 analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
