Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders 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 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 seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric 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 unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
