The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
