The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
