Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s 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 pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
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 must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy 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 deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
