Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s 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 the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating 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 envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued 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 sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
