The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated 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 pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency 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 must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
