The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric 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 who could do anything about it," she observed.
