The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis 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 few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
