American Attack on Caracas Stokes Fears of Potential Greenland Acquisition.
Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.