Recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate 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 also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station 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 observed.
