Recent American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
