The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous 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 "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying 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 annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
