US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Takeover.
Recent American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
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 issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "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 island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
