The latest American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to 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 US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also 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 Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
