The latest American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once 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 few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
