Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful 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 nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
