The latest American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 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 international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
