The recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, 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 intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered 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 reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
