The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction 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 leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
