The latest American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" 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 unified 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 shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
