The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally 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 Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming 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 work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "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 vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
