The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
