Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our 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 pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global competition in the Arctic. "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 cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
