The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny 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, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
