Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
