The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 "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 Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "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 sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
