The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our 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 highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president refused 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
