Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global competition 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric 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 unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
