The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely 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 picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts 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."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
