The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now 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 unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
