The latest American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 "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 Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted 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 unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
