The recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power rivalry 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 value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
