The recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 characterized 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."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both 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."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
