Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful 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 vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded 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 inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
