The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 characterized 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."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
