Recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic'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 ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid 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 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, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
