Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
