American Attack on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Future Greenland Takeover.
Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We 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. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified 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 sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
