The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 stated.
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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's 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 unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
