The latest American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders 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 reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
