Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.