Recent American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 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 Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
