The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
