The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 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 Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
