Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded 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 few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
