The recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis 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 couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
