Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president declined 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
