The latest American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 stated.
He characterized 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 international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
