The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous 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 unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both 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 picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard 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 intervene about it," she observed.
