Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified 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 shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. 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 couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
