Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming 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."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power rivalry 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
