The recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
