The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying 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 commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
