The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition in the polar region. "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."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
