The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid 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 broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 stated.
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."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
