Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek 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 seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
