The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming 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 "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position 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 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 Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
