Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
