The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
