The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power competition in the polar region. "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 cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed 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 on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
