The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling 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 must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
