Recent American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media 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 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
