Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
