The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
