The recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 remarked.
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 Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible 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.
