The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station 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 concluded.
