The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
