Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US 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 diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
