The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction 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 prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
