The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 "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 Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
