The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners 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 United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling 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 do anything about it," she concluded.
