The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "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 issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
