Recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 remarked.
He described 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."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
