The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 stated.
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 international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, 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 forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
