The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response 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 leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
