Recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 remarked.
He described 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 Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
