Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service 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 forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
