The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish 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."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
