Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
