Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both 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 reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
