The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-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 Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
