The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power competition 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 characterized 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."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
