The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted 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 soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
