The recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in 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 swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible 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 observed.
