The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 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."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "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 inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric 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 unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
