The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station 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.
