The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions 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 the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 stated.
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 Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently 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 not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
