The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
