Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 stated.
He characterized 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."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both 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 reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
