The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position 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 stated.
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."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified 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 picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
