Recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 remarked.
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."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently 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 concluded.
