The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 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."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
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 prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
