The recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire 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 stated.
He described 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 Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted 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 few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
