The recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 described 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."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once 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 unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
