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. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position 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 "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 Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
