Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global rivalry 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint 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 complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing 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 deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
