Recent American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 remarked.
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 international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now 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 which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
