The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
