Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power 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 characterized 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 Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
