Recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
